Unmarked, broad-wing jet over Nellis in April 2010. Something new? No, something old... it's a NASA WB-57 High Altitude Research Aircraft flying without its wingpods.

NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) operates two WB-57 aircraft out of Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range aircraft capable of operation for extended periods of time from sea level to altitudes well in excess of 60,000 feet. With a crew of two, the WB-57 can fly for approximately 6.5 hours with a range of approximately 2500 miles and a payload of 6,000 pounds. Both aircraft have been flying research missions since the early 1960's, and continue to be an asset to the scientific community with professional, reliable, customer-oriented service designed to meet the scientific objectives.

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