NASA ER-2 Flies Geological Mapping Mission

Crew members prepare NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s ER-2 aircraft for flight at Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in support of the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx). The high-altitude science aircraft operates between 20,000 and 70,000 feet. For this mission, pilots flew at approximately 65,000 feet, requiring them to wear specially designed pressure suits.

Crew members prepare NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s ER-2 aircraft for flight at Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in support of the Geological Earth Mapping Experiment (GEMx). The high-altitude science aircraft operates between 20,000 and 70,000 feet. For this mission, pilots flew at approximately 65,000 feet, requiring them to wear specially designed pressure suits.

Photographer NASA/Genaro Vavuris
Location AFRC
AFRCNASA Armstrong Flight Research CenterER-2Airborne Science programUnited States Geological SurveyUSGSEarth Sciencescience missionGEMxGeological Earth Mapping Experimenthigh-altitude researchremote sensing