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DC-8 Airborne Laboratory
NASA operates a converted McDonnell Douglas DC-8 jetliner as an airborne science laboratory. The highly-modified aircraft, based at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., serves as a platform for data collection on a wide variety of experiments in support of Earth and environmental science projects conducted by NASA, academia and various research institutions around the world.   DC-8 Home Page and DC-8 Fact Sheet

DFRC Photo # Photo Date Image Description
    DC-8 Photo Collection Contact Sheet
NASA's DC-8 Airborne Science Laboratory ARCTAS mission
ED08-0088-15 April 1, 2008 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.
ED08-0064-14 March 7, 2008 Lee Mauldin inspects the National Center for Atmospheric Research CIMS instrument probe on the exterior of NASA's DC-8 flying lab prior to the ARCTAS mission.
ED08-0064-13 March 7, 2008 Deedee Montzka of the National Center for Atmospheric Research checks out the NOxyO3 instrument on NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory before the ARCTAS mission.
ED08-0064-11 March 7, 2008 Eric Scheuer of the University of New Hampshire installs the Soluble Acidic Gases and Aerosol instrument in NASA's DC-8 for the ARCTAS mission.
ED08-0064-10 March 7, 2008 Jingqiu Moa and Xinrong Ren check out Pennsylvania State University's Airborne Tropospheric Hydrogen Oxides Sensor instrument during the ARCTAS mission upload.
ED08-0064-05 March 7, 2008 Chris Cantrell and Becky Anderson of the National Center for Atmospheric Research assess the CIMS instrument's operation during ARCTAS mission preparations.
ED08-0064-02 March 7, 2008 Eric Apel and Alan Hills of the National Center for Atmospheric Research install the Trace Organic Gas Analyzer's sensor probe on the exterior of NASA's DC-8.
 
ED07-0273-19 December 5, 2007 NASA's modified DC-8 now carries the name of the late Edwin W. Lewis below its cockpit window, a tribute to his 18 years piloting the unique science laboratory.
NASA's DC-8 Airborne Science Laboratory Returns to Dryden
Photo Release: 07-67P
ED07-0256-05 November 8, 2007 NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force upon its return to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Nov. 8, 2007.
ED07-0256-09 November 8, 2007 NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory soars over the Dryden Flight Research Center upon its return to the center on Nov. 8, 2007.
ED07-0256-13 November 8, 2007 NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., upon arrival Nov. 8.
ED07-0256-17 November 8, 2007 Agricultural fields spread out beyond NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory as it heads for landing at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif.
ED07-0256-23 November 8, 2007 NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
ED07-0256-26 November 8, 2007 NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory is shadowed by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane during a flyover of the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
ED07-0256-38 November 8, 2007 NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory has become the first science aircraft to be based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
 
ED07-0041-1 August 26, 2006 NASA's DC-8 Flying Laboratory taxis up to the ramp at Sal Island's Amilcar Cabral International Airport after a science flight for the NAMMA mission.
EC04-0047-002 February 24, 2004 NASA's Airborne Science DC-8 displays new colors in a check flight over Dryden Flight Research Center
EC04-0047-004 February 24, 2004 NASA's Airborne Science DC-8 displays new colors in a check flight over Dryden Flight Research Center
EC04-0047-006 February 24, 2004 NASA's DC-8 Airborne Science research aircraft in new colors and markings
EC04-0047-011 February 24, 2004 NASA's DC-8 Airborne Science research aircraft takes off in new colors and markings
ED04-0056-145 March 17, 2004 NASA DC-8 Mission Manager Walter Klein poses with a group of Chilean Students onboard the aircraft in Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-144 March 17, 2004 NASA DC-8 Pilots Craig Bomben and Bill Brockett explain the DC-8 cockpit to Chilean students onboard the DC-8 aircraft in Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-142 March 17, 2004 JPL scientist Dr. David Imel and U.S. Air Force Colonel Gwen Linde lead Chilean students on a tour of the DC-8 aircraft in Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-141 March 17, 2004 NASA DC-8 Ground Support Technicians Mark Corlew and Mike Lakowski perform routine maintenance on the aircraft in Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-139 March 17, 2004 NASA DC-8 Ground Support Technician Joe Niquette performs routine maintenance on the DC-8 aircraft in Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-138 March 16, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-137 March 16, 2004 James Ross Island captured by NASA photographer James Ross, from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during an AirSAR 2004 mission over the Antarctic Peninsula.
ED04-0056-136 March 16, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-132 March 16, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-131 March 16, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-128 March 16, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-126 March 16, 2004 NASA JPL scientists Yunling Lou and Dr. Eric Rignot work on line selection while flying AirSAR missions over the Antarctic Peninsula.
ED04-0056-121 March 13, 2004 A penguin near Punta Arena, Chile, photographed in its natural summer habitat during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-117 March 13, 2004 NASA’s DC-8 aircraft at Carlos Ibanez International Airport in Punta Arenas, Chile. A portion of AirSAR hardware is visible on the left rear fuselage.
ED04-0056-116 March 13, 2004 NASA’s DC-8 aircraft prior to launch from Carlos Ibanez International Airport in Punta Arenas, Chile, during AirSAR 2004.
ED04-0056-114 March 13, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-113 March 13, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-111 March 13, 2004 The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica viewed from NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-110 March 13, 2004 An AirSAR 2004 view from the DC-8 as it approaches the Larsen Ice Shelf, which is part of the Antarctic Peninsula.
ED04-0056-109 March 13, 2004 NASA DC-8 Mission Manager Walter Klein and Chilean Air Force Advisor Captain Saez review maps of the Antarctic Peninsula during an AirSAR 2004 mission.
ED04-0056-108 March 11, 2004 View of Glacier Grey from Lago Grey (Grey Lake), with the Cuernos del Paine mountains in the background, seen during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign in Chile.
ED04-0056-107 March 11, 2004 Close-up view of Grey Glacier from Lago Grey (Grey Lake), taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign in Chile.
ED04-0056-105 March 11, 2004 A cave in Glacier Grey in Torres del Paine National Park, seen during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign in Chile.
ED04-0056-103 March 11, 2004 Glacier Grey in front of The Cuernos del Paine mountains, photographed from Lago Grey (Grey Lake) during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign in Chile.
ED04-0056-101 March 11, 2004 Glacier Grey view from Lago Grey (Grey Lake), photographed during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign in Chile.
ED04-0056-099 March 11, 2004 The Cuernos del Paine mountains in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-098 March 11, 2004 A fox at Torres del Paine National Park in Chile during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-096 March 11, 2004 The Cuernos del Paine mountains in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile provide a backdrop to a herd of guanacos during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-095 March 11, 2004 The Cuernos del Paine mountains in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, photographed during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-090 March 10, 2004 Dr. Tom Mace talks with a student from Punta Arenas, Chile, during a tour of the DC-8 aircraft.
ED04-0056-089 March 10, 2004 NASA Dryden Mission Manager Walter Klein talks with school children from Punta Arenas, Chile, during a tour of the DC-8 aircraft.
ED04-0056-088 March 10, 2004 NASA Dryden Mission Manager Walter Klein poses with school children that visited the DC-8 during AirSAR 2004 in Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-086 March 10, 2004 School children from Punta Arenas, Chile, talk with Dr. David Imel, an AirSAR scientist from NASA JPL, during AirSAR 2004.
ED04-0056-085 March 10, 2004 Pilot Bill Brockett (left) and Chilean Air Force Captain Saez with school children in the cockpit of NASA Dryden's DC-8 flying laboratory.
ED04-0056-083 March 10, 2004 Chilean Air Force Captain Saez and Dr. Tom Mace discuss airborne science during a DC-8 ferry flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas, Chile.
ED04-0056-080 March 10, 2004 L to R; Walter Klein (in tan flight suit), Tim Miller, and David Bushman briefing press in Santiago, Chile, for NASA's AirSAR 2004 mission.
ED04-0056-079 March 8, 2004 DFRC Mission Manager Walter Klein passes out stickers and lithographs to underprivileged Costa Rican school children that visited the airport on Monday March 8, 2004.
ED04-0056-078 March 8, 2004 DFRC Mission Manager Walter Klein passes out stickers and lithographs to underprivileged Costa Rican school children that visited the airport on Monday March 8, 2004.
ED04-0056-076 March 8, 2004 DFRC Mission Manager Walter Klein passes out stickers and lithographs to underprivileged Costa Rican school children that visited the airport on Monday March 8, 2004.
ED04-0056-075 March 8, 2004 NASA Dryden Mission Manager Walter Klein poses with school children that visited the airport during AirSAR 2004.
ED04-0056-074 March 6, 2004 NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory seen at sunset after a flight supporting the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-072 March 6, 2004 NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory seen at sunset after a flight supporting the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-071 March 6, 2004 NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory takes off from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, on NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-067 March 6, 2004 DC-8 Quality Inspector Scott Silver signs documents while Acting Crew Chief Mike Bereda looks on prior to a DC-8 AirSAR flight in Costa Rica.
ED04-0056-066 March 6, 2004 NASA Dryden DC-8 maintenance crew members inspect the aircraft prior to take-off for an AirSAR 2004 flight.
ED04-0056-065 March 5, 2004 Reflectors used to calibrate the DC-8's AirSAR seen here setup in the Costa Rican rain forest by scientist Paul Siqueira from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.
ED04-0056-063 March 5, 2004 Reflectors used to calibrate the DC-8's AirSAR seen here setup in the Costa Rican rain forest by scientist Paul Siqueira from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.
ED04-0056-062 March 5, 2004 Dense rain forest in the La Selva region of Costa Rica.
ED04-0056-061 March 5, 2004 Pre-Columbian archaeological ruins are revealed through Costa Rican rain forest in this photo taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-059 March 5, 2004 Pre-Columbian archaeological ruins are revealed through Costa Rican rain forest in this photo taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-057 March 5, 2004 This photograph shows a stream in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest, taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-055 March 5, 2004 Pre-Columbian archaeological ruins are revealed through Costa Rican rain forest in this photo taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-054 March 5, 2004 Pre-Columbian archaeological ruins are revealed through Costa Rican rain forest in this photo taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-053 March 5, 2004 Pre-Columbian archaeological ruins are revealed through Costa Rican rain forest in this photo taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-050 March 5, 2004 Pre-Columbian archaeological ruins are revealed through Costa Rican rain forest in this photo taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-049 March 4, 2004 A spider photographed during NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest.
ED04-0056-048 March 4, 2004 This photograph shows a stream in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest, taken during NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-047 March 4, 2004 A lizard photographed in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest as part of NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-046 March 4, 2004 A butterfly photographed in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest as part of NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-045 March 4, 2004 A tree frog photographed in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest as part of NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-044 March 4, 2004 A tree trunk structure photographed in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest as part of NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-043 March 4, 2004 A unique tree trunk photographed in La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest as part of NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-042 March 4, 2004 A plant photographed in the La Selva region of the Costa Rican rain forest as part of NASA's AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-002 March 3, 2004 Airborne Science personnel Walter Klein and David Bushman at the Mission Manager's console onboard NASA's DC-8 during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-004 March 3, 2004 David Bushman at the Mission Manager's console onboard NASA's DC-8 during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-005 March 3, 2004 JPL Researcher Tim Miller at the primary AirSAR station aboard NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-006 March 2, 2004 JPL Researcher Bruce Chapman at an AirSAR station aboard NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-007 March 2, 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.
ED04-0056-014 March 3, 2004 NASA Dryden's DC-8 on the ramp at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-015 March 3, 2004 NASA Dryden's DC-8 on the ramp at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-016 March 3, 2004 NASA Dryden's DC-8 on the ramp at Juan Santamaria International Airport, San Jose, Costa Rica during the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-020 March 3, 2004 NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory takes off from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica on NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-21 March 3, 2004 NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory takes off from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, on NASA's AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-24 March 3, 2004 Mr. John Danilovich, US Ambassador to Costa Rica, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe at the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica hangar naming ceremony.
ED04-0056-025 March 3, 2004 NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe speaking at the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica hangar naming ceremony.
ED04-0056-026 March 3, 2004 NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe making a presentation to Fernando Gutierrez during the AirSAR 2004 hangar naming ceremony.
ED04-0056-028 March 3, 2004 AirSAR 2004 plaque unveiling by NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and Fernando Gutierrez, Costa Rican Minister of Science and Technology (MICIT).
ED04-0056-029 March 3, 2004 Personnel viewing AirSAR hardware while touring the outside of NASA's DC-8 during a stop-off on the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-030 March 3, 2004 Dr. Tom Mace, DFRC Director of Airborne Sciences, greets NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe as he enters the DC-8 aircraft during a stop-off on the AirSAR 2004 campaign.
ED04-0056-031 March 3, 2004 VIP's onboard NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-033 March 3, 2004 Tom Mace and Walter Klein(far right) brief John Danilovich, US Ambassador to Costa Rica, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe onboard NASA's DC-8.
ED04-0056-035 March 3, 2004 VIP tour of NASA DFRC's DC-8 during the AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-038 March 3, 2004 VIP group in hangar during AirSAR 2004 Mesoamerica campaign.
ED04-0056-039 March 3, 2004 Personnel viewing posters showing how NASA activities have made an impact on Costa Rican people.
Historical Photos: Do not use as current Dryden information
EC00-0050-001 February 2000 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight
EC00-0050-004 February 2000 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight
EC00-0347-001 December 11, 2000 DC-8 returning from AFWEX deployment showing AeroSAPIENT Ku-band antennas
EC00-0347-002 December 11, 2000 DC-8 returning from AFWEX deployment showing AeroSAPIENT Ku-band receive antenna (fwd zenith port)
EC00-0347-003 December 11, 2000 DC-8 returning from AFWEX deployment showing AeroSAPIENT Ku-band antennas
EC00-0347-004 December 11, 2000 DC-8 returning from AFWEX deployment showing AeroSAPIENT Ku-band transmit antenna (aft 62 degree port)
EC00-0347-006 December 11, 2000 DC-8 returning from AFWEX deployment showing AeroSAPIENT Ku-band antennas
EC00-0037-001 January 2000 ER-2 #809 and DC-8 in Arena Arctica hangar in Kiruna, Sweden prior to the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE)
EC00-0037-007 January 2000 DC-8 being pushed out of the Arena Arctica hangar in Kiruna, Sweden for the second flight of the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE)
EC00-0037-008 January 2000 DC-8 during takeoff in Kiruna, Sweden for the second flight of the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE)
EC99-44896-013 February 1999 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight during research mission - view from above
EC99-44896-016 February 1999 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight during research mission - view from above
EC99-44896-045 February 1999 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight during research mission - closeup view
EC99-44896-050 February 1999 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight during research mission - side view
EC99-44915-001 1999 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight during research mission - interior view
NASA's DC-8 Flying Laboratory Conducts Earth Science Mission (DFRC Press Release 98-22)
EC98-44485-001 March 26, 1998 Airborne Synthetic Aperature Radar (AIRSAR) on left rear fusalge of DC-8 Airborne Laboratory
EC98-44485-002 March 26, 1998 Operations Manager Tim Miller checks out software for the Airborne Synthetic Aperature Radar (AIRSAR)

EC98-44444-001 February 25, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight over snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range
EC98-44444-004 February 25, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in banked flight over snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range
EC98-44444-006 February 25, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight over snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range
EC98-44444-007 February 25, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight over Mt. Whitney
EC98-44444-017 February 25, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight over NASA Dryden center with SCA 747 on ramp
EC98-44428-003 February 20, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight over Mint Canyon near the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California
EC98-44428-004 February 20, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight
EC98-44428-005 February 20, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight over Palmdale, CA
EC98-44428-007 February 20, 1998 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory in flight
EC97-44358-002 December 29, 1997 DC-8 Airborne Laboratory arrival at NASA Dryden

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