Two NASA T-38 training jets are seen as they fly over Washington, DC, Thursday, April 5, 2012. NASA, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted training and photographic flights over the DC metropolitan area. T-38 aircraft have been used for astronaut training for more than 30 years as they allow pilots and mission specialists to think quickly in changing situations, mental experiences the astronauts say are critical to practicing for the rigors of spaceflight. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio trains for his upcoming International Space Station mission in a T-38 jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

Two NASA T-38 training jets are seen as they fly over Reagan National Airport, Thursday, April 5, 2012 in Arlington, VA. NASA, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted training and photographic flights over the DC metropolitan area. T-38 aircraft have been used for astronaut training for more than 30 years as they allow pilots and mission specialists to think quickly in changing situations, mental experiences the astronauts say are critical to practicing for the rigors of spaceflight. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Two NASA T-38 training jets are seen as they fly over the U.S. Capitol, Thursday, April 5, 2012, in Washington. NASA, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted training and photographic flights over the DC metropolitan area. T-38 aircraft have been used for astronaut training for more than 30 years as they allow pilots and mission specialists to think quickly in changing situations, mental experiences the astronauts say are critical to practicing for the rigors of spaceflight. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-38 Pilot Frank L. Culbertson waves from T-38A NASA 955 forward cockpit prior to Ellington Field departure. Astronaut Curtis L. Brown, Jr is stationed in the aft cockpit behind Culbertson.

Seated in the rear station of a NASA T-38 jet trainer aircraft, Russian Cosmonaut Vladimir Titov prepares to take a familiarization flight.

Seated in the rear station of a NASA T-38 jet trainer aircraft, Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev prepares to take a familiarization flight.

NASA Dryden's T-38 Talon trainer aircraft in flight near Edwards Air Force Base. Formerly at NASA's Langley Research Center, this Northrop T-38 Talon is now used for mission support and pilot proficiency at the Dryden Flight Research Center.

T-38 JETS FLY-OVER TEST STAND 4693 AND ASTRONAUTS DON PETTIT AND VICTOR GLOVER VISIT WITH CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL.

S94-36123 (June 1994) --- Astronaut Gregory J. Harbaugh, STS-71 mission specialist, sits in the rear station of a NASA T-38 jet trainer at Ellington Field. Harbaugh is in training for the STS-71 mission scheduled aboard the space shuttle Atlantis next year.

A NASA T-38 training jet is seen as it flies at 1500 feet over Washington, DC, Thursday, April 5, 2012. NASA, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted training and photographic flights over the DC metropolitan area. T-38 aircraft have been used for astronaut training for more than 30 years as they allow pilots and mission specialists to think quickly in changing situations, mental experiences the astronauts say are critical to practicing for the rigors of spaceflight. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

STS-38 Mission Specialist (MS) Robert C. Springer climbs into T-38A forward cockpit prior to Ellington Field departure for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

STS-38 Pilot Frank L. Culbertson gives "thumbs up" before climbing into the T-38A NASA 955 forward cockpit. Crewmembers are preparing for departure from Ellington Field to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Culbertson's bright yellow helmet is displayed in front of him.

S90-41527 (August 1990) --- Astronaut Charles D. (Sam) Gemar, prepares to climb aboard on of NASA's T-38 jet trainers, located near the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Gemar began training as an astronaut candidate in summer of 1985.

Formerly at NASA's Langley Research Center, this Northrop T-38 Talon is now used for mission support and pilot proficiency at the Dryden Flight Research Center.

STS-38 Pilot Frank L. Culberston, smiling and wearing his helmet with breathing apparatus attached, sits in T-38A NASA 955 forward cockpit at Ellington Field and prepares for departure.

Payload specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe appears to be enjoying her ride during her training in the T-38 jet trainer. Part of Galveston Island and the Greater Houston Metropolitan area can be seen in the background.

Aerial views of the STS-5 launch from T-38 chase aircraft Nov. 11, 1982. Shuttle Columbia can be seen as a small figure trailed by a line of smoke.

An airborne view of a T-38 taken from the Atlantis (STS-36) while landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California 03/04/90 by Mission Specialist Richard M. "Mike" Mullane.

NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio trains for his upcoming International Space Station mission in a T-38 jet at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's chief pilot Gordon Fullerton in the cockpit of the center's T-38 Talon mission support aircraft.

Marta Bohn-Meyer flew as a back-seat flight test engineer in this NASA T-38 mission support aircraft when this 1993 photo was taken.

jsc2025e060543 (June 24, 2025) --- NASA astronaut Chris Williams prepares for takeoff in the backseat of a T-38 jet, departing out of Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

Pilot Gordon Fullerton taxies NASA Dryden's "newest" mission support aircraft, a T-38 Talon, into position on the ramp upon its arrival on February 24, 2005.

41C-3002 (3 April 1984) --- Astronaut Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, 41-C pilot, is only minutes away from leaving Ellington Air Base in a T-38. Scobee and four other 41-C crewmembers, along with Astronaut John W. Young, are headed for Florida, site of a launch in three days of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Scobee, an experienced pilot, is responsible for helping a number of other NASA astronauts learn to fly. The eleventh Space Shuttle mission will mark his first experience in space. This photograph was taken by Otis Imboden.

An in-flight photo of the NASA F-15A used to carry a 10 degree cone to collect aerodynamic data to calibrate the data from wind tunnels. Acting as chase for the flight was a NASA T-38 aircraft.

jsc2025e060539 (June 24, 2025) --- NASA astronaut Chris Williams (left) speaks with pilot John Gustine ahead of their flight on a T-38 jet out of Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

S86-25234 (January 1986) --- STS-51L Payload Specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe egresses the rear station of a NASA T-38 jet trainer at Ellington Base near the Johnson Space Center, where the Teacher-in-Space Project top finalist is in training for the January mission. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. Photo credit: NASA

Puffy white clouds and a flooded lakebed form a backdrop as a T-38 support aircraft taxies across the ramp in front of NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

Composite image of Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) data (contour) with a cut-out images of the T-38’s during a Mach Number 1.01 pass. This data is the first time shockwave interactions between two full scale aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound have been imaged and shown with schlieren visualization. Original recording of the pass taken in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor at near Edwards AFB in December of 2018. Image acquired by JT Heineck, schlieren data processed by Neal Smith

Composite image of Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) data (contour) with a cut-out images of the T-38’s during a Mach Number 1.02 pass. The interaction of the shockwave of the trailing aircraft with the exhaust plume of the lead aircraft shows a shockwave reflection. Original recording of the pass taken in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor at near Edwards AFB in December of 2018. Image acquired by JT Heineck, schlieren data processed by Neal Smith.

Composite image of Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) data (contour) with a cut-out images of the T-38’s during a Mach Number 1.02 pass. The interaction of the shockwave of the trailing aircraft with the exhaust plume of the lead aircraft shows a shockwave reflection. Original recording of the pass taken in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor at near Edwards AFB in December of 2018. Image acquired by JT Heineck, schlieren data processed by Neal Smith.

Composite image of Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) data (contour) with a cut-out images of the T-38’s during a Mach Number 1.01 pass. This data is the first time shockwave interactions between two full scale aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound have been imaged and shown with schlieren visualization. Original recording of the pass taken in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor at near Edwards AFB in December of 2018. Image acquired by JT Heineck, schlieren data processed by Neal Smith.

Dr. von Braun took a supersonic flight in the T-38 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Aerial view of the NASA hangar and a line-up of the NASA T-38 trainer aircraft used by the astronauts at Ellington Field.

S86-25199 (September 1985) --- Three members of the STS-51L prime crew and a backup crew member walk away from the flight line at nearby Ellington Field following flights in the T-38 jet trainers seen in the background. Sharon Christa McAuliffe (center right), payload specialist/citizen observer for the Teacher-in-Space Project, and Barbara R. Morgan (center left), her backup, are flanked by astronauts Francis R. (Dick) Scobee (right), mission commander, and Michael J. Smith, pilot. The photo was taken by Keith Meyers of the New York Times. EDITOR?S NOTE: The STS-51L crew members lost their lives in the space shuttle Challenger accident moments after launch on Jan. 28, 1986 from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Photo credit: NASA

JSC2008-E-035362 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut Michael T. Good, STS-125 mission specialist, photographed in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035363 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut Michael T. Good, STS-125 mission specialist, photographed in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035357 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Gregory C. Johnson (right), STS-125 pilot, and Michael T. Good, mission specialist, walk to the nearby flight line of NASA T-38 trainer jets at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Nicole Mann sits in a T-38 in preparation for Commercial Crew Program astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035360 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut Gregory C. Johnson, STS-125 pilot, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035366 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut Gregory C. Johnson, STS-125 pilot, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

NASA commercial crew astronauts Josh Cassada and Suni Williams prepare for T-38 training flights at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. Cassada and Williams are assigned to the Boeing Starliner’s second crewed flight.

NASA commercial crew astronaut Suni Williams prepares for T-38 training flights at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. Williams is assigned to the Boeing Starliner’s second crewed flight.

JSC2004-E-54710 (14 December 2004) --- Astronaut Mark E. Kelly, STS-121 pilot, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams pose for a picture during T-38 pre-flight activities at Ellington Field.

JSC2008-E-035365 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut Scott D. Altman, STS-125 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

NASA commercial crew astronaut Josh Cassada prepares for T-38 training flights at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. Cassada is assigned to the Boeing Starliner’s second crewed flight.

NASA commercial crew astronaut Josh Cassada prepares for T-38 training flights at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. Cassada is assigned to the Boeing Starliner’s second crewed flight.

NASA commercial crew astronauts Josh Cassada and Suni Williams prepare for T-38 training flights at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. Cassada and Williams are assigned to the Boeing Starliner’s second crewed flight.

PHOTO DATE: 02-07-13 LOCATION: Ellington Field - Hangar 276 - Tarmac SUBJECT: Scott Kelly during T-38 flight prep and getting into aircraft along with Stephanie Wilson. PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

JSC2004-E-54716 (14 December 2004) --- Astronaut Mark E. Kelly, STS-121 pilot, in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2004-E-54715 (14 December 2004) --- Astronaut Steven W. Lindsey, STS-121 commander, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-47700 (27 Sept. 2007) --- Astronaut Stephen N. Frick, STS-122 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet from Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

NASA commercial crew astronauts Josh Cassada and Suni Williams prepare for T-38 training flights at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. Cassada and Williams are assigned to the Boeing Starliner’s second crewed flight.

JSC2001-E-08830 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Daniel T. Barry, STS-105 mission specialist, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-08833 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Daniel T. Barry, STS-105 mission specialist, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC/NASA aircraft operations at Ellington Field. T-38 aircraft are lined up on the parking apron. The KC-135 (NASA 930) Weightless environment trainer is taking off in the middle ground.

JSC2008-E-035361 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut Michael J. Massimino, STS-125 mission specialist, photographed in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035367 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (front seat) and Michael J. Massimino, STS-125 commander and mission specialist, respectively, prepare for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035369 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (front seat) and Michael J. Massimino, STS-125 commander and mission specialist, respectively, prepare for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035359 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (right) and Michael J. Massimino, STS-125 commander and mission specialist, respectively, prepare for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035374 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, STS-125 mission specialist, photographed in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035375 (17 April 2008) --- Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, STS-125 mission specialist, photographed in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035351 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman and Gregory C. Johnson (foreground), STS-125 commander and pilot, respectively, look over their flight plan in the check-out facility at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center prior to a flight in NASA T-38 trainer jets.

JSC2008-E-035358 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (right) and Michael J. Massimino, STS-125 commander and mission specialist, respectively, walk to the nearby flight line of NASA T-38 trainer jets at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2003-00686 (January 2003) --- Astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham, STS-116 mission specialist, takes a break from training to pose for a portrait with a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2003-00684 (January 2003) --- Astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham, STS-116 mission specialist, takes a break from training to pose for a portrait with a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2003-00678 (January 2003) --- Astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham, STS-116 mission specialist, takes a break from training to pose for a portrait with a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

41G-90028 / S17-90028 (2 Oct 1984) --- Astronaut Sally K. Ride, 41-G mission specialist, gets a last look of Houston from the ground prior to departing the area in a T-38 jet aircraft to begin preparations in Florida for her 41-G space mission later in the week. Dr. Ride is in the rear station of a NASA T-38 at Ellington Air Base, near the Johnson Space Center. She and four other astronauts used the jet trainers to fly to Florida while the mission's two payload specialists flew there aboard a Gulfstream aircraft.

JSC2001-E-08811 (26 March 2001) --- Astronauts Daniel T. Barry (left), Scott J. Horowitz, Frederick W. Sturckow, and Patrick G. Forrester, are photographed as they walk to the nearby flight line of the T-38 trainer jets at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2006-E-27881 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Christopher J. Ferguson, STS-115 pilot, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2006-E-27870 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Daniel C. Burbank, STS-115 mission specialist, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2001-E-08828 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Frederick W. Sturckow, STS-105 pilot, in the cockpit of a T-38 trainer, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2006-E-27869 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Daniel C. Burbank, STS-115 mission specialist, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2006-E-27871 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Brent W. Jett Jr., STS-115 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2006-E-27877 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Daniel C. Burbank, STS-115 mission specialist, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2001-E-08816 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester, STS-105 mission specialist, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2006-E-27863 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Brent W. Jett Jr., STS-115 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the Teacher in Space participant from Concord, New Hampshire, prepares for a ride in the rear station of one of NASA's T-38 jet trainers at Ellington Field near JSC.

JSC2001-E-08817 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester, STS-105 mission specialist, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-08815 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz, STS-105 mission commander, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-08814 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz, STS-105 mission commander, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-08824 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz, STS-105 mission commander, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-08819 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Scott J. Horowitz, STS-105 mission commander, prepares for a flight in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-08821 (26 March 2001) --- Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester, STS-105 mission specialist, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center (JSC).

Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the Teacher in Space participant from Concord, New Hampshire, prepares for a ride in the rear station of one of NASA's T-38 jet trainers at Ellington Field near JSC.

JSC2006-E-27864 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Daniel C. Burbank, STS-115 mission specialist, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2008-E-035352 (17 April 2008) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (center), Gregory C. Johnson (foreground), STS-125 commander and pilot, respectively, and Michael J. Massimino, mission specialist, look over their flight plan in the check-out facility at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center prior to a flight in NASA T-38 trainer jets.

ASCAN Francis R. Scobee and T-38 Trainer on Ellington runway prior to leaving on training flight. EAFB, HOUSTON, TX

NASA astronaut candidate Raja Chari climbs into a NASA T-38 aircraft, Friday, July 12, 2019 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut candidate Raja Chari taxies his NASA T-38 aircraft, Friday, July 12, 2019 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

JSC2008-E-038917 (6 May 2008) --- Astronaut Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet from Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center to Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

JSC2010-E-032826 (1 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, STS-131 mission specialist, gives a ?thumbs-up? signal as she prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet from Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center to Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

JSC2008-E-038921 (6 May 2008) --- Astronaut Ron Garan, STS-124 mission specialist, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet from Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center to Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

JSC2007-E-06385 (1 Feb. 2007) --- Astronaut Scott J. Kelly, STS-118 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet from Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center to Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

JSC2006-E-27886 (22 June 2006) --- Astronaut Steven G. MacLean, STS-115 mission specialist representing the Canadian Space Agency, photographed in a T-38 trainer jet, prepares for a flight at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2007-E-06395 (1 Feb. 2007) --- Astronaut Charles O. Hobaugh, STS-118 pilot, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet from Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center to Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

JSC2007-E-06384 (1 Feb. 2007) --- STS-118 Commander Scott Kelly prepares for a flight to Kennedy Space Center in a T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field's Hangar 276 near the Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2008-E-038930 (6 May 2008) --- Astronaut Mike Fossum, STS-124 mission specialist, photographed in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet, gives a "thumbs-up" signal as he prepares for a flight from Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center to Kennedy Space Center, Florida.