{"id":319878,"date":"2025-12-01T04:33:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T04:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/319878\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T04:33:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T04:33:08","slug":"theres-a-1950s-aircraft-design-which-nasa-still-uses-today-in-crucial-operation-for-its-21st-century-spacecraft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/319878\/","title":{"rendered":"There\u2019s a 1950\u2019s aircraft design which NASA still uses today in crucial operation for its 21st century spacecraft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite having all the technology in the world to play with, the NASA WB-57 is a 1950s aircraft<\/a> that is still used in crucial operations for the leading aeronautics agency, and one was spotted in California.<\/p>\n

NASA has explored more of our galaxy than any other institution on Earth.<\/p>\n

With rockets, drones, satellites, and supersonic jets at its disposal, the US government agency is able to crawl through space and time with technology that is unimaginably advanced.<\/p>\n

Yet it still uses an aircraft from the 1950s to do important research.<\/p>\n

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NASA still uses this 1950s aircraft today<\/p>\n

As far as planes go, NASA is up there with the best of the best. It\u2019s Super Guppy<\/a> is a beastly aircraft that plays a similar role to the popular Airbus Beluga.<\/p>\n

Then, the supersonic X-59 is on its way to being the fastest jet in operation, breaking the sound barrier<\/a> with its piercing looks and cutting-edge aerodynamics.<\/p>\n

Yet when it comes to research for Earth observation and mapping, the 1950s NASA WB-57 is still one of its finest aircraft.<\/p>\n

\"Operating<\/a>Scott Manley<\/p>\n

The 70-year-old plane operates with 2,300 nautical miles of range and has been operating in America on a frequent basis.<\/p>\n

Its role involves exploring high-altitude parts of the world with solar and thermal cameras, given its capability to fly at over 60,000 feet for six hours straight.<\/p>\n

As recently as April 2024, it was used to observe the Sun\u2019s corona during a solar eclipse.<\/p>\n

WB-57 spotted by YouTuber in California<\/p>\n

While the NASA WB-57 planes often operate from NASA\u2019s hub in Houston, YouTube aviation expert Scott Manley showcased one that was spotted in Northern California.<\/p>\n

In an upload<\/a> to his channel, explaining the incredible journeys and missions that the jets have undergone, Manley captured the WB-57 in all of its glory.<\/p>\n

\"Operating<\/a>Scott Manley<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something exceptionally cool about seeing the engine start on this thing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, these planes have no plans to be one of those models that we see in abandoned graveyards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m mainly glad it\u2019s not going to be another one of those aircraft that\u2019s just sitting on the tarmac rotting away to nothing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

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