NASA’s Boeing 777 is pictured with its new paint scheme on Aug. 11, 2026. The NASA B777 was acquired to replace the agency’s retired DC-8 and expand its airborne Earth science research capabilities. NASA retired the DC-8 in 2024.
The NASA Boeing 777 will begin operations at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, in 2027. As a unique flying laboratory with a global reach, the aircraft will support data collection for NASA missions and projects, including sensor development, satellite sensor calibration, data product validation, and field surveys. These efforts will help scientists better understand Earth system processes, improve models, and support informed decision-making.
Image credit: NASA/James Blair
Source: www.nasa.gov