The Proteus is a unique aircraft designed as a high-altitude, long-duration telecommunications relay platform, with potential for use on atmospheric sampling and Earth monitoring science missions as well.
It was designed by Burt Rutan, president of Scaled Composites, and built during 1997-98 at the firm’s development facility in Mojave, CA. Normally flown by two pilots in a pressurized cabin, the Proteus also has potential to perform its missions semi-autonomously.
NASA utilized two extensively modified Boeing 747 airliners to transport Space Shuttle orbiters.
X-15A-2 with full scale ablative and external tanks installed parked in front of hangar.
The team that supported the flight of the NACA D-558-II Skyrocket at the High-Speed Flight Station at South Base, Edwards AFB.
Pilot Earle Boyer and researcher Henry Brandhorst prepare for a solar cell calibration flight in a Martin B-57B Canberra at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center.