NASA's next flying lab readies for takeoff after new paint job

The repurposed Boeing 777 will carry up to 75,000 pounds of scientific equipment. More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. By signing up, you confirm you are 16+, will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy . For over 35 years, NASA's 157-foot-long Douglas DC-8 jetliner and its extensive onboard scientific laboratory contributed to numerous research breakthroughs before retiring in 2024--including some of the first comprehensive studies of Earth as a singular environmental system.