NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center photos from the 2000s

NASA's ultra-quiet YO-3A acoustics research aircraft taxis out from the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center before a pilot checkout flight

The slow-speed wooden propeller and long wings are evident as NASA's YO-3A acoustics research aircraft performs a low-level flyover at Edwards Air Force Base

NASA pilot Ed Lewis (rear) briefs NASA test pilot Dick Ewers on the flight instruments of NASA's YO-3A acoustics research aircraft prior to a checkout flight.

NASA's B-52B aircraft over the Dryden Flight Research Center after the successful launch of the second X-43A hypersonic research vehicle

NASA's DC-8 Airborne Science research aircraft, in new colors and markings, in flight Feb. 24, 2004

NASA's DC-8 Airborne Science research aircraft, in new colors and markings, takes off Feb. 24, 2004

The second X-43A hypersonic research vehicle, mounted under the right wing of the B-52B launch aircraft, viewed from the B-52 cockpit

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft at sunset with the second X-43A hypersonic research vehicle attached to a modified Pegasus rocket under its right wing

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket left the runway…

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle attached to a modified Pegasus rocket, on November 16, 2004

This is a photograph from the left side of the aircraft as NASA's DC-8 does an AirSAR 2004 research "line" over Honduras

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle on a captive carry evaluation flight September 27, 2004

NASA's converted YO-3A observation plane, now used for acoustics research, touches down at Edwards Air Force Base following a pilot checkout flight

NASA's F-15B conducts a local Mach investigation flight over California's Mojave Desert.

A modified Pegasus rocket ignites moments after release from the B-52B, beginning the acceleration of the X-43A over the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 16, 2004

A modified Pegasus rocket drops away after release from NASA's B-52B before accelerating the X-43A over a Pacific Ocean test range on Nov. 16, 2004

A modified Pegasus rocket drops steadily away after release from NASA's B-52B, before accelerating the X-43A over the Pacific Ocean on March 27, 2004

The F-18 simulator at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the third X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on November 16, 2004

he second X-43A and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean

NASA's Airborne Science DC-8, displaying new colors in a check flight Feb. 24, 2004, over the Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA's Airborne Science DC-8 displays new colors in a check flight over the Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA B-52B Carries Pegasus Booster, X-43A Aircraft

Leah Robson and Bridgette Puljiz in the flight deck of NASA's 747 shuttle carrier during Take Your Children to Work Day

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the second X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on March 27, 2004

Hitching a ride on NASA's B-52 mother ship, the X-43A scramjet performed a captive carry evaluation flight from Edwards Air Force Base, California, January 26, 2004

Research pilot and former astronaut Gordon Fullerton is congratulated by retired astronaut Fred Haise upon Fullerton's induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame

NASA's two modified F-15B research aircraft joined up for a fly-over of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards AFB, Calif., after a research mission.

One of NASA's two F-15 research aircraft gets refueled in mid-air over Lake Isabella from a USAF KC-135 tanker while NASA's other F-15 flies chase alongside.

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

A Beech T-34C mission support aircraft flown by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center shows off its classic lines as it soars over the desert near Edwards AFB

A Beech T-34C aircraft used by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for mission support banks over Lake Isabella in Kern County during a recent flight

NASA's F-15B carrying thermal insulation foam on its flight test fixture is shadowed by a NASA F-18B chase aircraft during a LIFT experiment research flight.

With sensor booms projecting ahead of the wing, the Pathfinder-Plus soars under a blue sky on a turbulence measurement research flight.

NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with the Space Shuttle Discovery on top lifts off to begin its ferry flight back to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

NASA's modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft is positioned under the Space Shuttle Discovery to be attached for their ferry flight to the Kennedy Space Center

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery is raised to allow ample clearance for the modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft to position underneath for attachment

The space shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 is captured over the Mojave Desert while being ferried from NASA Dryden to the Kennedy Space Center

The Space Shuttle Discovery hitched a ride on a special 747 carrier aircraft for the flight from California to the Kennedy Space Center, FL, on August 19, 2005

Workers position the tail cone on the Space Shuttle Discovery in preparation for its return to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Technicians attach the tail cone to the Space Shuttle Discovery in preparation for its return to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

A volunteer "astronaut" starts down an exit slide from a Space Shuttle crew compartment mockup during a rescue and recovery training exercise

A long string of specialized NASA vehicles convoys down a taxiway at Edwards Air Force Base to begin a Space Shuttle rescue and recovery training exercise

Clad in thermal protection suits, fire-rescue crews strap a stand-in "astronaut" into a litter during a Space Shuttle rescue training exercise at Edwards AFB

The sun rises on the Space Shuttle Discovery as it rests on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, after a safe landing August 9, 2005

Technicians inspect external tank attachment fittings on the Space Shuttle Discovery as part of its post-flight processing at NASA DFRC

The Space Shuttle Discovery receives post-flight servicing in the Mate-Demate Device (MDD) at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California

The sun sets on the Space Shuttle Discovery during post-flight processing in the Mate-Demate Device (MDD), following its landing at NASA DFRC in California

The Space Shuttle Discovery receives post-flight servicing in the Mate-Demate Device (MDD) at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California

Lightning strikes in the distance as the Space Shuttle Discovery receives post-flight processing in the Mate-Demate Device, following its landing at NASA DFRC

A technician leaves the 'white room,' the access point for entering the Space Shuttle Discovery during post-flight processing at NASA DFRC in California

Space Shuttle Discovery landed safely at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in…

The crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-114 gathered in front of the shuttle Discovery following landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, August 9, 2005

NASA's Crew Transport Vehicle, or CTV, pulls up to the Space Shuttle Discovery to offload the crew after a successful landing August 9, 2005

Space Shuttle Discovery landed safely at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in…

Closing the landing gear doors is one of the final servicing steps before lifting the Space Shuttle Discovery and mating it to NASA's 747 can begin

Technicians Ray Smith and Raphael Rodriguez remove one of the Extravehicular Mobility Units from the Space Shuttle Discovery after its landing at NASA Dryden

Technicians Todd Viddle, Robert Garrett and Dan McGrath remove a servicing unit from the Space Shuttle Discovery during its post-flight processing at NASA DFRC

Two panels of Space Shuttle TPS insulation were mounted on the flight test fixture underneath NASA's F-15B during the Lifting Foam Trajectory flight test series

Pilot James Kelly answered a question at a briefing following the successful landing of the Space Shuttle Discovery at NASA DFRC on August 9, 2005