NASA USES THE WB 57 FOR HIGH FLYING EXPERIMENTS THAT ARE (NEARLY) OUT OF THIS WORLD!
The Martin B-57 Canberra was created for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1953 for use as a tactical bomber that was also capable of reconnaissance missions. It served in the USAF for three decades; however, despite its retirement you can still find some in use today. The WB 57 model is still high above on special occasions to conduct interesting experiments by NASA. In fact, they still have three planes in their roster. Their high-flying abilities help NASA better understand the heavens above as well as the world below.Suggested read: Lee Miller: Defiance and Resilience Through Photography
What Is a WB 57 Aircraft?
The WB 57 is a twin-engined aircraft with a mid-wing design that can reach over 60,000 feet in altitude. To put things into perspective, commercial flights typically occur between 31,000 feet and 42,000 feet.You can fit a crew of two on a WB 57 within the fuselage. One operates as the pilot and the other handles sensor operation and navigation.Capable of flying six and a half hours depending on its payload, the WB 57 operates around 2,500 miles per trip. NASA’s WB 57 can hold a payload capacity of 8,800 lbs, making it a great aircraft for conducting scientific missions.Particularly, using the WB 57 in NASA's Airborne Science Program and WB-57 High Altitude Research Program, put three fully functional aircraft into good use.Ever since the WB 57 Canberra was retired from the USAF in 1973, the aircraft has been busy providing a professional, reliable method of conducting experiments. It is doing all this while also meeting the scientific community’s guidelines and standards.
Martin B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built twin-engine bomber. Glenn L. Martin Company manufactured the aircraft based on a license from the British English Electric Canberra.As time went on, models of the Martin B-57 Canberra kept fewer and fewer British components, instead choosing to implement a more American design.One unique piece of history involving the B-57 Canberra is that it was the first jet bomber in U.S. service to engage in combat, with a notable role in bombing missions during the Vietnam War.While technically assigned to NASA's Johnson Space Center for high-altitude scientific research, three remaining WB-57Fs have been utilized for testing and electronic communications both domestically and abroad, including Afghanistan.Related read: Four Military UFO Sightings That Made Us Question if We Are Alone
A Historical Study of the 2024 Eclipse
The 2024 total solar eclipse captivated North America. However, for NASA, the build-up was an opportunity to learn. Every WB 57 airplane was providing an unparalleled perspective at 50,000 feet above ground.There were three teams using NASA’s WB 57 aircraft to gain a unique, different set of data from the 2024 eclipse.While two teams focused on imaging the Sun's corona, a third team measured the ionosphere to better understand solar effects on our atmosphere. This was also to enhance our ability to detect asteroids near the Sun.Because the total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks the Sun's bright face, the corona is much more faint. This allows scientists to investigate this area.Taking advantage of an eclipse isn’t new for NASA. Previous eclipses have led to significant scientific discoveries. This is prompting experiments with NASA funding, including those employing WB 57s, to collect data during the event.Dr. Shadia Habbal from the University of Hawaii is leading an experiment that analyzes the temperature and composition of the corona. This will help us learn more about its structure and the origin of solar wind.A second team, led by Dr. Amir Caspi from the Southwest Research Institute, is using images captured in various wavelengths to learn more about the corona's mid and lower regions.The goal here is to increase our knowledge about asteroid detection and dust ring analysis.Finally, Dr. Bharat Kunduri at Virginia Tech is leading a third experiment that is looking at the impact on the ionosphere due to the eclipse. By doing so, the team is hoping to provide insights into solar radiation's effects on radar and GPS technologies.Because of the max altitude capabilities of WB 57s, the aircraft provided longer eclipse durations, and clearer observation.
How NASA’s WB 57 Is Helping the Military
The Sun might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to our national defense, and yet, the U.S. military is significantly impacted by its activity, affecting personnel and equipment alike.Hot days in the desert or working thorough drills for military personnel is tough enough. But, solar activity can also disrupt communications and navigation systems, such as GPS, leading to inaccuracies in determining routes and locations.Disturbances cause delays and errors in radio signals, affecting radar and navigation systems. If large enough, some systems may fail completely.Additionally, geomagnetic storms from the Sun can interfere with systems used for detection and early warning. This disrupts radio frequencies used for certain radar and air-control systems.Furthermore, power systems down on Earth, along with geological surveys and pipelines, can all be affected by activities on the Sun.All of these issues can present unique threats to our infrastructure as a whole. For the military, it means a lack of communication, issues with construction, logistical issues, equipment failure, and a lack of operational readiness.Whatever data is gathered by each WB 57 is helping the American Armed Forces refine itself and prepare for potential threats involving the Sun. The investment from NASA is helping the U.S. military better prepare for the present and future risks in warfare.Read next: Find Veteran Employment Opportunities From the Defense Logistics Agency