ER-2 High-Altitude Airborne 

Science Aircraft

NASA operates two Lockheed ER-2 Earth Resources aircraft as flying laboratories in the 

Airborne Science Program under the Agency's 

Science Mission Directorate. The aircraft are based 

at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center 

Building 703 in Palmdale, California, and collect 

information about the Earth’s resources, celestial 

observations, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, 

and oceanic processes. The aircraft are also used 

for electronic sensor research and development, 

satellite calibration, and satellite data validation.

Program History

NASA acquired its first ER-2 aircraft in 1981 and 

the second in 1989. They replaced two Lockheed 

U-2 aircraft that NASA was using since 1971 to 

collect science data. The U-2s, and later the ER-2s, 

were based at NASA's Ames Research Center in 

Moffett Field, California, until 1997, when the 

ER-2s and their operations moved to NASA Armstrong.

Since the Airborne Science Program's inaugural 

flight on Aug. 31, 1971, NASA U-2s and ER-2s 

have flown more than 4,500 data missions and test 

flights in support of scientific research.

NASA's ER-2 set a world record for reaching an 

extreme altitude for this class of aircraft with a 

takeoff weight between 26,455 and 35,275 pounds 

on Nov. 19, 1998. The aircraft reached 68,700 feet.

Atmospheric Experiments

NASA’s ER-2s are an invaluable tool for studying 

lower stratosphere and the North American Monsoon Anticyclone (NAMA). During the summers of 

2021 and 2022, the Dynamics and Chemistry of the 

Summer Stratosphere (DCOTSS) mission based 

in Salina, Kansas, carried 12 instruments aboard 

that took in situ measurements of important trace 

gases, aerosols, reactive species, and meteorological parameters. 

The measurements collected from DCOTSS helped 

scientists understand how strong convective systems penetrate the lowest layer of the stratosphere, 

also called the tropopause, with large-scale monsoonal motion, and the impact of that convection 

on the chemical composition of the lower stratosphere. During each flight that collected convection 

NASA operates two Airborne Science ER-2 aircraft for a wide variety of environmental science, atmospheric 

sampling, and satellite data verification missions. NASA/Carla Thomas
FS-2022-11-046 AFRC

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Armstrong Flight Research Center

P.O. Box 273

Edwards, California 93523

NASA Facts

samples, the ER-2 executed several vertical profiles as well as 

level transects through convective outflow to fully characterize 

the plume as well as the surrounding background air. This campaign provided a better understanding on how these dynamic 

and chemical processes interact within the composition of the 

stratosphere, and how that composition may change in response 

to ongoing changes in the climate system.

During a three-year campaign, the ER-2 spent winters in the 

Southeast U.S. to study snowfall. Snowstorms frequently organize 

in banded structures that have previously been poorly understood 

by scientists and poorly predicted by current numerical models. 

Since the last study on snowstorms, the capabilities of remote 

sensing technologies and numerical weather prediction models 

have advanced significantly. Due to this advancement, it is an 

ideal time to conduct a well-equipped study to identify key processes and improve remote sensing and forecasting of snowfall. 

For this campaign, Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS), 

the ER-2 and NASA’s P-3 aircraft based out of Wallops Island, 

Virginia, fly a complementary suite of remote sensing and 

in-situ instruments to address specific objectives, providing 

observations critical to understanding the mechanisms of snow 

band formation, organization, and evolution.

Satellite Sensor Development and Simulation

Since the Airborne Science Program’s inception, NASA U-2s

and ER-2s have assisted in developing new satellite sensors by 

testing prototypes or by simulating proposed configurations 

with existing systems.

The ER-2 carries the Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), a 224-band hyper-spectral scanner designed 

by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The main objective of the AVIRIS project is to identify, 

measure, and monitor constituents of the Earth's surface and 

atmosphere based on molecular absorption and particle scattering signatures. Research with AVIRIS data is predominantly 

focused on understanding processes related to the global environment and climate change. 

Another instrument, Airborne Lunar Spectral Irradiance (AirLUSI), makes highly accurate, traceable measurements of lunar 

spectral irradiance. These measurements can be used to validate 

or adjust current models of lunar spectral irradiance used for 

calibrating Earth observing satellites. Air-LUSI is initially being

used to address the current 5to10 percent uncertainty range of 

exo-atmospheric spectral lunar irradiance. Improved lunar spectral irradiance model accuracy will help satellite instruments use

the Moon as an absolute calibration reference, greatly improving the versatility and speed of on-orbit satellite calibration. 

Deployments

NASA’s ER-2s have deployed to six continents, investigated 

global warming and ozone depletion, and acquired extensive 

digital multispectral imagery for global climate change research 

and aerial photography. These missions tested prototype satellite 

imaging sensors and acquired Earth resources data for research 

projects sponsored by NASA and federal agencies such as the 

U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Aircraft Description

The ER-2 is a versatile aircraft well suited to perform multiple 

mission tasks.

The ER-2 operates at altitudes from 20,000 feet to 70,000 feet, 

which is above 99 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. Depending on aircraft weight, the ER-2 reaches an initial cruise altitude 

of 65,000 feet within 20 minutes. Typical cruise speed is 410 

knots. The range for a normal eight-hour mission is 3,000 nautical miles, yielding seven hours of data collection at altitude. The 

aircraft is capable of longer missions, more than 10 hours long, 

and ranges more than 6,000 nautical miles. The ER-2 can carry 

a maximum payload of 2,600 pounds (1,179 kilograms) distributed in the equipment bay, nose area, and wing pods.

The aircraft has four large, pressurized experiment compartments and a high-capacity AC/DC electrical system, permitting 

it to carry a variety of payloads on a single mission. The modular design of the aircraft permits rapid installation or removal of 

payloads to meet changing mission requirements.

NASA pilot Greg "Coach" Nelson prepared for flight on the ER-2 

by air crew life support at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research 

Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California. NASA