NASA’s trio of WB-57s fly in formation over Houston on November 19, 2015. This flight was the first time that three WB-57s have been aloft simultaneously since the early 1970s, when the U.S. Air Force had an active squadron of WB-57s. These fully operational WB-57 aircraft are based near NASA’s Johnson Space Center at Ellington Field, home of the NASA WB-57 High Altitude Research Program, which provides unique, high-altitude airborne platforms to support scientific research and advanced technology development and testing. Mission examples include atmospheric and earth science, ground mapping, cosmic dust collection, rocket launch support, and testbed operations for future airborne or spaceborne systems.
The WB-57 pilots and personnel supported several missions during the 2015 hurricane season, including flights over hurricanes Joaquin, and Patricia. This flight took the planes over Ellington Field, Houston’s Downtown, Galleria, and Medical Center. The flight continued over the Astro Dome, Minute Maid Park, Intercontinental Airport, the Houston Ship Channel, San Jacinto Monument and Johnson Space Center.
HD download link:
){kind=link}