posted 09-13-2026 11:00 PM               

NASA kicks off 'NFL Inspiration Tour' with first astronaut jets flyover

NASA traded space for sports history on Sunday (Sept. 13), in a high-profile demonstration of its aeronautics and space capabilities.

The agency deployed two of its astronaut training jets for the first-ever flyover of a National Football League (NFL) game. The performance kicked off the action as the Pittsburgh Steelers then took on the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.

posted 09-13-2026 11:22 PM               

I know at 49ers games the flyover crews will land at Moffett Field and get driven to the game and get introduced to the fans during a break in the third or fourth quarter.

posted 09-13-2026 11:25 PM               

The article includes the names of the pilots, ground support and maintenance crew that conducted the flyover using N924NA and N921NA, but here it is:

Flying the jets on Sunday were NASA research pilot and operations branch chief Brett Pugsley as lead pilot, wing pilot Christopher Condon and co-pilot Geoff Palmer. Supporting them were Brad Nesmith and Rufus Brennemen as ground liaisons and Matthew Nauta and Jonathan Weeks were the aircraft maintenance crew. The flyover was staged out of Pittsburgh International Airport.