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.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 956 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 09-13-2026 11:22 PM
They were showing the Bills at Texans game today, Sept. 13. They had flight of two NASA T-38's flyover after the national anthem. Any idea who the pilots might have been?
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.
Editor's note: Threads merged.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-13-2026 11:25 PM
They must have been showing the flyover from the Pittsburgh Steelers game, as that was the first (and today, only) time NASA T-38 jets have flown over an NFL stadium.
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.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-16-2026 10:41 AM
NASA has announced that Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman will attend the NFL Inspiration Tour on Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Baltimore Ravens' M&T Bank Stadium.
Also, the agency has added an additional game to the schedule:
1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27: Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers in Cleveland
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-21-2026 11:22 AM
Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman, a Baltimore native, took part in the NFL Inspiration Tour stop at the Baltimore Ravens game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday (Sept. 20).
Photos credit: NASA/Ingalls
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-29-2026 08:12 PM
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and his Freedom 250 F-5 team (including Jerry "Jive" Kerby and Doug "Tut" Demko), along with NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock and Associate Administrator for Research and Technology James Kenyon, took part in the NFL Inspiration Tour stop at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday (Sept. 27).
The flyover was performed by three of Isaacman's F-5 jets.
Photos credit: NASA/Jordan Cochran.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-02-2026 03:55 PM
NASA has announced that Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch will attend the NFL Inspiration Tour on Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Philadelphia Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field.
NASA team members will engage with fans at the agency's Experience Zone, located outside the stadium from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the game.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-05-2026 08:15 AM
NASA astronaut and Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch (joined by her husband, Robert) attended the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday (Oct. 4).
Christina served as honorary captain for the Eagles and she and Robert presented the team with confetti from the Eagle's Super Bowl LII win that Christina flew into space.
A planned flyover by two NASA T-38 jets was canceled.
Photos credit: NASA/Thalia Patrinos.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2026 09:46 AM
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will pilot one of three F-5 fighter jets to kick off the New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, Oct. 11.
NASA team members will engage with fans at the agency’s Experience Zone, located at the Jets Tailgate Zone outside the stadium, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT before the game.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 57274 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-21-2026 08:13 PM
NASA will conduct a flyover at the University of Alabama vs. Texas A&M football game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Saturday (Oct. 24.)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will pilot one of three F-5 fighter jets during the flyover, highlighting NASA’s contributions to aeronautics and the agency’s continued commitment to advancing aviation technologies.
Supported by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the NASA Experience Zone will be open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT, with no game ticket required. The experience will give visitors an opportunity to meet NASA team members and learn more about the people and technologies advancing the agency’s missions in aeronautics and space exploration.
posted 09-13-2026 11:00 PM
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