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U-2 Photo
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NASA ER-2 (U-2) from Ames with Uplink Pod Satellite uplink pod (black) mounted on an ER-2 (NASA-709) in front of the Ames hangar. See also u-2_er-2_95_ames_uplink_pod_white.htm for a "digitally enhanced" version of this photo showing the pod in white. The ER-2 is NASA's "civilian" version of the U-2. "ER" stands for "Earth Resource". NASA's ER-2s have tail numbers 806 and 809 (previously 706 and 709). NASA began using the U-2 in 1971 to collect science data. It replaced the U-2s with ER-2s in 1981 and 1989. The aircraft were based at the NASA Ames Research Center until 1997 when they moved to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. The aircraft are platforms for a variety of high-altitude science missions flown all over the world. They are also used for earth science and atmospheric sensor research and development, satellite calibration and data validation. The ER-2s can carry 2,600 pounds of experiments in a nose bay, the main equipment bay behind the cockpit, two wing-mounted superpods and small underbody and trailing edges. Most ER-2 missions last about six hours with ranges of about 2,200 nautical miles at altitudes above 65,000 feet. The aircraft is 63 feet long, with a wingspan of 104 feet. The top of the vertical tail is 16 feet above ground when the aircraft is on the bicycle-type landing gear. Cruising speeds are 410 knots, or 467 miles per hour, at altitude. A single General Electric F-118 turbofan engine rated at 17,000 pounds thrust powers the ER-2. For more information see the ER-2 Fact Sheet.
Original Image Photo Identification: AC95-0128-1, 15.Mar.1995, Dominic Hart 512 x 768 pixels – 43,066 bytes Information Page
Images On This Page Thumbnail: 150 x 150 pixels – 5,095 bytes (RO-75)
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