Aerospace Milestones

Historic aerospace moments captured in flight, featuring shuttles, military aircraft, and unmanned vehicles soaring above landscapes.

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft.

S77-28138 (13 Sept 1977) --- The shuttle Orbiter 101 "Enterprise" makes a slight turn and bank maneuver during the second free flight of the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) conducted on September 13, 1977, at the Dryden Flight Research Center in Southern California. The "Enterprise" separated from the NASA 747 carrier aircraft and landed following a five-minute, 28-second unpowered flight. The Orbiter 101 crew was astronauts Joe H. Engle, commander, and Richard H. Truly, pilot. The ALT free flights are designed to verify orbiter subsonic airworthiness, integrated systems operations and pilot-guided approach and landing capability and satisfy prerequisites to automatic flight control and navigation mode. The orbiter soars above the dry California desert in this post-separation view. Astronaut C. Gordon Fullerton took this picture while riding in T-38 chase plane number one. He used a 35mm Nikon camera with a 50mm lens.

A C-12 Huron takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to provide aerial chase support to three other aircraft that participated at the opening ceremony for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, July 19. (Air Force photo by Josh McClanahan)

The first Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), designated N-1, slated for the Navys Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) program, takes off from the Northrop Grumman Palmdale facility, California, on its first flight on October 6th, 2004. (Substandard image). Base: Palmdale State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Enterprise - Free Flight after Separation from 747

NASA'S ER-2 #806 lifts off from Edwards Air Force Base on a CALIPS/CloudSat validation instrument checkout flight.

The one-third scale twin-fuselage towed glider glides in for landing on Rogers Dry Lake after its successful first test flight.

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft.

The X-56A flies a mission Oct. 18, 2018.

The DARPA/U.S. Air Force X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) system demonstration program completed the first phase of demonstrations, known as Block I, on Feb. 28, 2003.The final Block I activities included two flights at Dryden, during which safe operation of the weapons bay door was verified at 35,000 feet and speeds of Mach 0.75, the maximum planned altitude and speed for the two X-45A demonstrator vehicles.

The Northrup M2-F2 lifting body returns from a research flight at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards California with a Lockheed F-104 flying chase. Landing

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrives at Keflavik Air Base in Reykjavik, Iceland, on May 17, 2021.

March 14, 2006 - A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft prepares for an aerial refueling over Kyrgyzstan.

220720-N-OZ224-0029 NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (July 20, 2022) - A P-8A Poseidon, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 47, the Golden Swordsmen, takes off from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, July 20. VP-47 is a maritime patrol squadron currently stationed at NASWI. The Golden Swordsmen fly the P-8A Poseidon, the Navy's premiere long-range anti-submarine warfare platform.

A P-40 Japanese Zero aircraft performs during the Aviation Nation air show on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 11, 2007. Aviation Nation, which is the Air Force's premiere air show, is the capstone event of the Air Force's yearlong 60th anniversary celebration.

With its sensor pod under its left wing, NASA's remotely piloted Ikhana unmanned aircraft cruises over California during the Western States Fire Mission.

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft flies over the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 13, 2022. The SOFIA aircraft is a Boeing 747SP jetliner modified to carry a reflecting telescope. It allowed astronomers to study the solar system and beyond in ways that are not possible with ground-based telescopes.

China, Gansu Province, Dunghuang, Chinese fighter plane at Ming Sha sand dunes

STS055-S-089 (6 May 1993) --- The main drag chute on the Space Shuttle Columbia is almost fully deployed in this three-quarter aft view of the vehicle's runway landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Landing occurred at 7:30 a.m. (PDT), May 6, 1993. Onboard the spacecraft were astronauts Steven R. Nagel, Terence T. (Tom) Henricks, Jerry L. Ross, Bernard Harris Jr. and Charles J. Precourt, along with German payload specialists Hans Schlegel and Ulrich Walter.

AN air-to-air overhead view of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft with the new European paint scheme. The aircraft is nicknamed "Green Lizard". Base: Southern California Desert State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

With smoke from the Lake Arrowhead area fires streaming in the background, NASA's Ikhana unmanned aircraft heads out on a Southern California wildfires imaging mission.

Air-to-air, high, front view of a 63rd Airlift Wing's C-141B Starlifter as it comes in for a landing at Norton. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Norton Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A frontal view of the Proteus high-altitude aircraft on the ramp at the Mojave Airport in Mojave, California in July 1999.

An SR-71 arrives from Beale AFB, California at Nellis AFB to go on display during the United States Air Force's 50th Anniversary and Air show. An SR-71 arrives from Beale AFB, California at Nellis AFB to go on display during the United States Air Force's 50th Anniversary and Air show.

Earth and sky met as the X-48C Hybrid Wing Body aircraft flew over Edwards Air Force Base on Feb. 28, 2013, from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. The long boom protruding from between the tails is part of the aircraft's parachute-deployment flight termination system.

Two small Range Safety System antennas are located just behind the engine inlets of NASA's NF-15B research aircraft as it banks away from the chase plane.

Airstrip, Skeleton Coast Camp, Wilderness Safaris, Skeleton Coast National Park, Kaokoland, Kunene Region, Namibia

An air-to-air left rear view of a B-1B bomber aircraft being refueled in flight by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. Country: Unknown

September 25, 2012 - A C-17 Globemaster III taxis to its parking spot at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A taxis out for a routine training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 17, 2022. Members of the RAAF have been stationed at Nellis AFB for the past few months to participate is training exercises.

Five KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft sit parked on the flight line during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

A U-2 Dragon Lady assigned to Beale Air Force Base, California, takes off at Travis AFB, CA runway during Wings Over Solano, May 14, 2022. The Wings Over Solano open house and air show provided an opportunity for the local community to interact directly with the base and its Airmen and see capabilities on full display at Travis AFB.

Global Hawk #872 SHOUT Range Flight

XV-15 (NASA-703) Tilt Rotor take-offs at the NASA Ames facility at Crows Landing, CA

Left front view of an F-4 Phantom II aircraft, with its drag chute deployed, landing at Shiraz Air Base during exercise Cento. Subject Operation/Series: CENTO Country: Iran (IRN)

Atlantic Ocean, May 14, 2013 - An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

Condor Flying condor in the Colca canyon,Peru Copyright: xZoonar.com/GalynaxAndrushkox 11327959

Air to air front view of a USAF's Air Mobility Command, C-141B Starlifter transport aircraft from the 60th Airlift Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California with California's Mt. Shasta in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Round-the-World Flight of Burt Rutan's Global Flyer Aircraft

A right side view of a C-21A operational support aircraft recently assigned to the Military Airlift Command, as it lands on a runway at Tucson International Airport. The aircraft was built by the Gates Learjet Corporation. Base: Tucson State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Helicopter Lifts Off from Dry Desert Lake Bed

Orbiter Discovery, with its seven-member crew, approaches the landing strip at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., after an 11-day mission to the International Space Station. The orbiters main landing gear touched down on EAFB runway 22 at 5 p.m. With the aid of its drag chute, Discovery came to a complete stop at 5:01 p.m. At the conclusion of mission STS-92, Discovery and crew had traveled about 5.3 million statute miles. Following vehicle safing and preliminary offloading efforts, workers will begin preparations for Discoverys transcontinental ferry flight back to KSC on the back of NASAs modified Boeing 747

Aerial view of the sun dipping below the horizon casting a golden glow on the rows of retired aircraft at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona, United States.

NASAs all-electric X-57 Maxwell, in its Mod II configuration, arrives at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The X-plane was delivered by prime contractor Empirical Systems Aerospace of San Luis Obispo, California, in two parts, with the wing separated from the fuselage, to aid in a more timely delivery. X-57 is NASAs first crewed X-plane in two decades, and seeks to further advance the design and airworthiness process for distributed electric propulsion technology for general aviation aircraft.

STS033-S-017 (27 Nov 1989) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery is approached by safing vehicles and team members following its late-afternoon landing at Edwards Air Force Base in southern California. A five member crew aboard had just completed the DOD-devoted STS-33 mission. The landing occurred at 16 31 02 p.m. (PST), Nov. 27, 1989. Onboard Discovery for the mission and still aboard the craft when this photo was made were Astronauts Frederick D. Gregory, John E. Blaha, Kathryn C. Thornton, F. Story Musgrave and Manley L. Carter.

An Israeli Air Force C-130J Shimshon landing on a temporary dirt runway.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III with the C-17 West Coast Demo Team prepares to take off during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The C-17 Demo Team, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was established in 2019 and participates in air shows across the United States to showcase the capabilities of the C-17 and represent the Air Force through community outreach. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

Flying condor in the Colca canyon,Peru

Tu-160M strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force during aerial refueling.

T-6 Class (North American T-6 Texan's and SNJ's) at the Sea Fury, Unlimited Class Reno National Championship Air Races.

BAE Systems F-4 Phantoms at sunset at Mojave airport with wind power generators in the background.

NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory lifts off the runway at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., on its first flight in the ARCTAS atmospheric science mission.

Tucson, United States - 30 January 2025: Aerial view of three decommissioned aircraft, stark against the arid desert landscape, their ghostly white forms silent sentinels of a bygone era.

Three-quarters left rear view of a Grumman SA-16A Albatross (s/n 51-006), somewhere in Korea. The pontoons, drop tanks, and landing gear are visible under each. A ladder is propped against the side of the aircraft, leading to the plane door. In the background, several buildings appear.

Round-the-World Flight of Burt Rutan's Global Flyer Aircraft

Condor Flying condor in the Colca canyon,Peru Copyright: xZoonar.com/GalynaxAndrushkox 11100674

NASAs Ikhana aircraft, based at the agencys Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, takes off for the agencys first large-scale, remotely-piloted aircraft flight in the national airspace without a safety chase aircraft.

The HiMAT (Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology) subscale research vehicle, seen here after landing to conclude a research flight, was flown by the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, from mid 1979 to January 1983. The aircraft demonstrated advanced fighter technologies that have been used in the development of many modern high performance military aircraft.

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II taxis toward the runway with six others prior to flying a mission at the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Ore., Oct. 26, 2022. The 63rd Fighter Squadron from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., brought 14 aircraft and flew nearly 500 hours over a 13-day period, increasing their capacity to train student pilots by utilizing Kingsleys large and accessible air space.

Aerospace industry representatives view actual and mock-up versions of 'X-Planes' intended to enhance access to space during a technical exposition on June 22, 2000 at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. From left to right: NASA's B-52 launch aircraft, in service with NASA since 1959; a neutral-buoyancy model of the Boeing's X-37; the Boeing X-40A behind the MicroCraft X-43 mock-up; Orbital Science's X-34 and the modified Lockheed L-1011 airliner that was intended to launch the X-34.These X-vehicles are part of NASA's Access to Space plan intended to bring new technologies to bear in an effort to dramatically lower the cost of putting payloads in space, and near-space environments. The June 22, 2000 NASA Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology Exposition included presentations on the history, present, and future of NASA's RLV program. Special Sessions for industry representatives highlighted the X-37 project and its related technologies. The X-37 project is managed by

Carrying its sensor pod, NASA's remotely piloted Ikhana unmanned aircraft banks away during a checkout flight in the Western States Fire Mission.

F-18 Mid-Air Refueling

A Fleet Logistic Support Squadron 30 (VRC-30) C-2A Greyhound aircraft is launched from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron in formation of an elephant walk which included U-2 Dragon Ladys and chase cars from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron and KC-135R Stratonkers from the 940th Air Refueling Wing, Jan. 4, 2024, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The 2024 elephant walk was the first one at Beale AFB since 2004.

A Westland SH-14D Navy Lynx submarine control helicopter (1976-).

North American P-51D Mustang known as 31 Speedball Alice during the 2008 Reno Air Races.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2016) Photos of NASA employees moving the disassembled Phantom Eye, a Boeing-developed, liquid hydrogen-powered demonstrator aircraft, during a transfer from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center across Rogers Dry Lake to the red-topped Hanger 4305 on North Base, where the aircraft will await reassembly and refurbishment for eventual display as part of the Air Force Flight Test Museum. Phantom Eye was designed to fly long endurance missions at high altitudes as a potential surrogate for military intelligence and communications satellites. Smoke from the Blue Cut Fire can be seen in the background of some images.

The unique X-48B Blended Wing Body subscale demonstrator banked over desert scrub at Edwards AFB during the aircraft's fifth test flight Aug. 14, 2007.

An Mi-17 helicopter is towed on the flight line in preparation to be transported at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 21, 2022. The Department of Defense is delivering Mi-17 helicopters to help more Ukrainian troops around the battlefield and augment the five Mi-17 helicopters sent to Ukraine earlier this year.

The first flight of a large aircraft to be powered by electric fuel cells began with a takeoff at 8:43 a.m. HST today from the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The Helios Prototype flying wing, built by AeroVironment, Inc., of Monrovia, Calif., as part of NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program, used solar panels to power its 10 electric motors for takeoff and during daylight portions of its planned 20-hour shakedown flight. As sunlight diminishes, Helios will switch to a fuel cell system to continue flight into the night.The takeoff set the stage for a two-day Helios endurance flight in the stratosphere planned for mid-July. The Helios wing, spanning 247 feet and weighing about 2,400 pounds, is giving NASA and industry engineers confidence that remotely piloted aircraft will be able to stay aloft for weeks at a time, providing environmental monitoring capabilities and telecommunications relay services.Helios is an all-electric airplane. In addition to

The Perseus B remotely piloted aircraft nears touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. at the conclusion of a development flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The Perseus B is the latest of three versions of the Perseus design developed by Aurora Flight Sciences under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program..

Plane flying low over valley towards jeep and USA flag

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft taxi to the runway Sept. 9, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The aircraft, assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron, departed for Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, to participate in Operation Mountain Weasel for their F-35A B-course capstone.

3/4 Front View of Northrop B-49 in Flight. 3/4 Front View of Northrop B-49 in Flight.

Aerial view of small plane taking off from rural airport in Chilliwack

Nose of Fighter Jet

AN air-to-air front view of a 63rd Military Airlift Wing C-141B Starlifter aircraft participating in Dragon Team, the largest non-Joint Chiefs of STAFF airdrop training exercise in history. Subject Operation/Series: DRAGON TEAM Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Lunar Lander Research Vehicle in Flight

XV-15 (NASA-703) ATB Rotor Hub on trumack

Two EA-3B Skywarrior aircraft of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VQ-1) bank to the left as they fly past the island of Gibraltar. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

Low angle shot of helicopter flying over train tracks.

July 26, 2006 - A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft painted in the color scheme of the original Air National Guard Minute Men flight demonstration team flies over the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Minute Men. The paint scheme used on the F-16 is the same used on the original F-86 Sabre aircraft originally flown by the team.

One-half left front view of a Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star taxiing down the runway, somewhere in Korea. The aircraft is equipped with wing tip tanks and bears the markings of the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron (FBS). The buzz number, FT-532, is visible on the front fuselage of the aircraft. At the left of the image, two other aircraft appear beside the runway.

One-half right rear view of a North American F-51D Mustang 'Jeannie' (s/n 44-84925; c/n 44871), somewhere in Korea. Three men work underneath the stabilizers of the aircraft. A crane stands behind the aircraft with several sandbags in its hook. Sandbags appear on both stabilizers and wings, as well as stacked on a barrel on the right side of the aircraft. Support equipment appears to the left, behind the wing.

An air-to-air left side view of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft from the 710th Military Airlift Squadron, Air Force Reserve over Clear Lake. Base: Northern California State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DC-8 NASA 717 in flight over San Francisco, Ca

An aerial view of Royal Australian Air Force Mirage III and Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3 Orion aircraft (bottom to top) parked on a ramp during exercise Sandgroper '82. Subject Operation/Series: SANDGROPER '82 Base: Pearce Royal Australian Afb Country: Australia (AUS)

Charter Plane On Airstrip &#Xa;Sasaab Kenya

NASAs all-electric X-57 Maxwell, in its Mod II configuration, arrives at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The X-plane was delivered by prime contractor Empirical Systems Aerospace of San Luis Obispo, California, in two parts, with the wing separated from the fuselage, to aid in a more timely delivery. X-57 is NASAs first crewed X-plane in two decades, and seeks to further advance the design and airworthiness process for distributed electric propulsion technology for general aviation aircraft.

Abandoned US Navy 1954 Grumman S-2 Tracker aircraft lined up at a rural aircraft salvage yard.

Vintage Photograph. L-1011 LANDING. Airplane shadow glides over busy highway below.

Altus I aircraft on lakebed

F-15B ACTIVE in flight

Aerial of trailer home in Arizona desert.

An Oklahoma 185th Airlift Squadron C-130H (137th Air Wing Oklahoma Air National Guard) flies over snow blanketed New Mexico enroute to deliver hay to cattle stranded in remote fields after a major blizzard hit the area in December 1997. State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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