Earth Resources - 2

Yesterday I had a chance to see to see NASA's Earth Resources -2 (ER-2). The ER-2 is a single-engine, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft built by Lockheed-Martin.   It is based out of NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operation Facility in Palmdale, CA.  It is a part of the flying laboratories in the Airborne Science Program under the agency's Science Mission Directorate.

Earth Resources -2 (ER-2) Photo by NASA

For all of you aircraft buffs out there you maybe saying to yourself that looks a lot like a U-2, the American spy plane that was shot down over the Soviet Union during the Cold War during the May 1960 U-2 Incident. 


Well it is, NASA has two of them, re-named as ER-2. One of the ER-2s was at NASA's Johnson Space Center getting out fitted for a upcoming mission.


This is what NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center has to say about the ER-2:
"The single-seat aircraft routinely operate at up to 70,000 feet altitude and acquire data above 95 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. The ER-2s participate in studies of the Earth, celestial observations, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, and oceanic processes. The aircraft are also used for electronic sensor research and development, satellite calibration, and satellite data validation. The aircraft fly missions of up to 10 hours and carry maximum payloads of 2,600 pounds distributed in the equipment bay behind the cockpit, the nose area and wing-mounted pods."

Photo By NASA

A second pilot has to help the aircraft land in a chase car going up to 120 mph.  More information about the U-2 can be found at Lockheed U-2.

Its interesting what NASA finding out what else NASA has in its hangers.  Keep your eyes open I might get around to writing about the Martin B-57 Canberra or the astronaut supersonic trainer the T-38.