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ER-2 Platform Info

NASA ER-2 Aircraft
The NASA ER-2 is a high-altitude, moderate-speed aircraft, then operated by the High Altitude Missions Branch at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. With a maximum performance altitude of 70,000 feet and a nominal performance altitude of 65,000 feet, the NASA ER-2 travels outside 95 percent of the Earth's atmosphere at approximately 410 knots with a range of 3,000 nautical miles.

As part of NASA's Airborne Science and Applications Program, the NASA ER-2 aircraft are used to acquire data for Earth science research (e.g., agriculture, forestry, hydrology, geology, photogrammetry, oceanography, meteorology). These aircraft serve as platforms for a variety of sensors that collect data in support of NASA-sponsored scientific projects as well as projects involving other federal, state, university, and commercial investigators. Data from prototype and operational sensors flown aboard NASA ER-2 aircraft are used in applications, including the study of ozone depletion, agricultural biospheres, wildlife habitats, and forest wildfires. The NASA ER-2 aircraft are part of a fleet of airborne platforms that provide support to the Earth Science Enterprise initiative.

Specifications and Operational Parameters
ParameterSpecification
Crewone pilot
Length62' 1"
Span103' 4"
Engineone Pratt and Whitney J75-P-13B
Performance Altitude70,000 ft maximum (65,000 ft nominal)
Research Speed410 knots
Range3000 nautical miles
Flight Duration8 hours (6.5 hours nominal)
Payload Capacity600 lbs in nose; 750 lbs in equipment bay (also referred to as the Q-bay); 1360 lbs in two wing pods
(instrumentation areas and wing pods are pressurized)
Other AccommodationsNadir viewport