NASA Gets An Upgrade

NASA has announced it has bought a Boeing 777-200(ER) from storage to replace the current, 53-year-old DC-8 it uses as a flying science lab. The 20-year-old 777 spent the majority of its life flying for Japan Airlines from 2003 to 2020 before it was bought by Logistic Air, a Nevada-based company. The "new" 777 flew into Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, VA on Dec. 15 where it will undergo extensive upgrades. Replacement date for the DC-8 is unknown at this time, as the modifications and testing on the 777 could take several years prior to its first flight. The current flying laboratory has been used to collect data for all types of studies, such as archaeology, oceanography, volcanology, and cryospheric science, and more!

NASA's current DC-8

Photo source: https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/710567/n817na-nasa-douglas-dc-8-72/

Article sources: https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/123044-nasa-to-replace-dc-8-flying-lab-with-a-b777, https://airwaysmag.com/nasa-new-boeing-777/