NASA DC-8 Retired to Palmdale

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NASA’s Douglas DC-8 flying laboratory aircraft has been retired following its last missions.

After spending the past couple of months in Asia performing flights to study air quality, the vintage aircraft (registration N817NA) returned to the United States to prepare for retirement.

The final flight into Palmdale, CA on 1 April was met with a water cannon salute to welcome this 55-year-old aircraft home, where it will begin a period of decomissioning to remove its onboard equipment.

According to the NASA aircraft tracker, a final flight is scheduled on 15 May to position the DC-8 to Pocatello, ID, where it will begin a new life as a ground-based instructional airframe.

NASA will soon welcome a replacement aircraft in the form of a former Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 to operate missions.

Header photo (c) NASA