DC-8 - AFRC

Current Status
Decommissioned (ends 12/31/27)

Note: The NASA DC-8 aircraft will be retired after the ASIA-AQ, April 2024 deployment.

Based at NASA Armstrong's Building 703 in Palmdale, CA, this unique flying laboratory collects data for experiments in support of scientific projects serving the world's scientific community, including investigators from NASA and other federal, state, academic, and foreign institutions. The DC-8 flies three primary missions - sensor development, satellite sensor verification, and basic research studies of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. Data gathered by the DC-8 at flight altitude and by remote sensing have been used for scientific studies in archeology, ecology, geography, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, volcanology, atmospheric chemistry, soil science, and biology.

Owner/Operator
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
Type
Conventional Aircraft
Duration
12.0 hours (payload and weather dependent)
Useful Payload
50,000 lbs
Gross Take-off Weight
350,000 lbs
Onboard Operators
42 not including 8 flight crew
Max Altitude
42,000 ft.
Air Speed
460 knots
Range
5,400 Nmi
NASA SMD User Fee per Hour
Call
Point(s) of Contact
Individual Aircraft Details
N817NA (NASA817) based at Palmdale/Bldg 703
Year built
1969
Year entered ASP/IOC service
1987
Aircraft Documentation
DC-8 Experimenter's Handbook
Links
DC-8 Program
DC-8 Floor Plan Animations
3D Virtual Model

 

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