PHOTO OF THE DAY: NASA’s T-38 Flyover of Artemis I on Launch Pad at Kennedy Space Center
By NASA information center // September 3, 2024
T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twinjet supersonic jet trainer
BREVARD COUNTY • KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA – NASA’s T-38 jets fly in formation above the Space Launch System rocket on Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twinjet supersonic jet trainer designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation.
It was the world’s first supersonic trainer as well as the most produced.
Aircraft designations and passengers:
901: Chris Condon / Astronaut Zena Cardman.
902: Astronaut Candidate Nicole Ayers / Astronaut Christina Koch.
903: Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen / Astronaut Drew Morgan.
904: Chief Astronaut Reid Wiseman / Astronaut Joe Acaba.
905 (Photo Chase): Astronaut Candidate Jack Hathaway / Josh Valcarcel
The T-38 can be traced back to 1952 and Northrop’s N-102 Fang and N-156 fighter aircraft projects. During the mid-1950s, Northrop officials decided to adapt the N-156 to suit a recently issued general operating requirement by the United States Air Force for a supersonic trainer to replace the Lockheed T-33.
The bid was successful, in no small part on its lower lifecycle cost comparisons to competing aircraft, and the company received an initial order to build three prototypes.
The first of these, designated YT-38, made its maiden flight on 10 April 1959. The T-38 was introduced to USAF service on 17 March 1961.
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