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Author
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Topic: New NASA astronaut jet trainers?
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JohnPaul56
Member Posts: 283
From: Montclair, NJ, USA
Registered: Apr 2010
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posted 06-05-2023 02:55 PM
  
Are there any plans in the works to replace the T-38 training jets that are used currently by NASA astronauts? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50700
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-05-2023 07:30 PM
NASA is not currently planning to replace its T-38 fleet. As the space shuttle program came to its end, there were congressional inquires if NASA needed training jets going forward, but the space agency was able to defend its use of the T-38 jets as an effective trainer for situational awareness. The Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk has been selected to replace the use of the T-38 for U.S. Air Force training. Production of the T-7 (previously referred to as the T-X) has run into delays, but is now slated to begin in early 2024, with the new jet going into service a year later. |
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 227
From: California
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted 07-01-2023 10:46 AM
It's remarkable when you consider that the T-38 had its first flight in 1959 and went out of production in 1972. That's half the history of powered flight. Half way back to the Wright brothers. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6219
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-07-2023 07:27 AM
In summary from my recent article: - 1962: "Mercury 7" astronauts requested to get flight time to maintain experience and keep flight pay. USAF provided Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger and F-106 Delta Dart jets.
- Late 1962 onwards NASA planned less gas-guzzling jet aircraft for exclusive use by astronauts as spaceflight readiness aircraft and pilot proficiency training. Avoiding travel on commercial airlines while visiting NASA bases and subcontractors around USA.
- January 10, 1963: Walter Schirra flight tested a T-38 jet USAF TF551 as possible "Astronaut Taxi aircraft."
- August 1964: NASA MSC Houston received five T-38 jets on loan from USAF.
- NASA T-38 fleet reached 32 aircraft, housed at hangar 276 (renamed "John Young hangar" in October 2021) at Ellington Field – Houston Texas). Young was T-38 flight time record holder with 9200 hours!
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SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5257
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-07-2023 07:48 AM
Matter of time before the T-7As are adopted by NASA; T-38 logistical pipeline will eventually dry up and increase sustainment costs. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2339
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-07-2023 05:22 PM
Perhaps. But maybe with a spacecraft with a higher level of automation, an aircraft that is less expensive to operate might make more sense to take care of transportation needs. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50700
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-07-2023 05:51 PM
Even with autonomous navigation, astronauts need to be prepared to be situationally aware, which remains the primary training purpose of the T-38 fleet (in addition to providing military pilots the ability to keep up their flight time). For transportation, NASA uses Gulfstream business jets staged out of Johnson Space Center and Langley Research Center. |
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