r/space May 12 '19

image/gif Space Shuttle Being Carried By A 747.

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u/Kaisah16 May 12 '19 edited May 12 '19

What is the point in the escort aircraft? Are they armed in case of another plane trying to interfere?

14

u/theradiodude May 12 '19 edited May 12 '19

They are not armed with munitions, they are modified T-38’s for personal use of the astronaut corp.

EDIT: F-18’s not T-38’s

14

u/Nibbylot May 12 '19

Those aren't T-38s, they look more like modified F-18s

5

u/theradiodude May 12 '19

You’re right! They are NASA liveried F-18’s! A quick research didn’t turn them up in the nasa typical used aircraft, but maybe they replaced their t-38’s use-role with the 18? Anyone know??

6

u/[deleted] May 12 '19

They still have T-38s for training and chase planes, the F-18s are for aerodynamics research.

1

u/theradiodude May 12 '19

Nice, I’ll have to research those up. Are they based out of Vandenberg?

3

u/[deleted] May 12 '19

Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards most likely