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The American space agency NASA has said goodbye to its Douglas DC-8 after 37 years of loyal service. The aircraft has been used as a flying laboratory since 1987, and carried out its last mission last week. The classic jet is now facing a new future.
The DC-8-71 with registration N817NA was built for Alitalia in 1969, and ten years later went to the American company Braniff. NASA bought the aircraft in 1986 and equipped it with equipment to take measurements and scientific experiments in the air. For example, the aircraft was used to study the effect of contrails.
Upon returning from her last mission, the plane received a water salute from the fire department at Palmdale's Palmdale Airport in California, where NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center is located.
The DC-8 is scheduled to be given a new home at Idaho State University in Pocatello, where it will be used to train trainee aircraft mechanics.
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