NASA Boeing 777 arrives in Waco

On 13 January 2025, NASA's new Boeing 777, registered as N577NA, arrived in Waco (TX). The aircraft will replace the now-retired DC-8 and will be used for sensor development, satellite sensor verification, and basic research studies of the Earth's surface and atmosphere.

It is not yet known when the aircraft will be delivered to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. Most likely, additional modifications will be made by L3Harris Technologies in Waco.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) acquired the Triple Seven, in December 2022. According to NASA's FY23 budget documents, the aircraft was purchased under the FY22 budget for under USD 30 million.

The Boeing 777, previously operated by Japan Airlines (JAL) as JA704J (msn 32892/435), had been stored at Victorville/Southern California Logistics Airport since May 2020. On 15 December 2022, it was flown under the US registration N774LG from the storage facility to Langley AFB (VA), where it will went through a series of modifications at the NASA Langley Research Center.

Credit photo: @SR_Planespotter (via X)