The NASA DC-8 is the NASA Airborne Science Program's premier aircraft for conducting in-situ studies of the atmosphere and remote-sensing of ground processes. In October of 2009, I got to fly on board this amazing laboratory as part of the Operation Ice Bridge mission. I flew on five out of 21 flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, to various locations over Antarctica. Never landing, the DC-8 carried scientists and instruments in an effort to collect data on the state of Antarctica sea-ice and glaciers, as well as the atmosphere over Antarctica.
Flying on the NASA DC-8
The NASA DC-8 is an older plane, built in 1968 for commercial purposes and acquired by NASA in 1985. Although older than many planes flying commercially today, the DC-8 is relatively young by flying standards, since it only flies a few times a year for scientific investigations. NASA modified the DC-8 from 1985 to1987, retrofitting it with the equipment necessary to support scientific research in the skies.
Flying on the NASA DC-8 is almost exactly like flying on a commercial aircraft, except for a few very nice differences. For the Operation Ice Bridge mission, I could pick my own seat, and all the seats on the DC-8 are First Class seats. The seats are also spread through out the plane, so there is no need to worry about feeling cramped. The rules for take-off and landing are exactly the same as in commercial flying. Scientists must have their seat belts buckled, and everything must be stowed away during take-off and landing. Once the cruising altitude has been achieved - and for scientific missions this can be anywhere between 37,000 to 1,000 feet - then the scientists can get up and move around as needed.
For scientific investigation purposes, DC-8 pilots first fly the instruments with no passengers and conduct a series of exagerated movements to make sure that all the instruments are bolted down properly and will not be a hazard to passengers. This flight is referred to as the "shake down" test flight and is usually done at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility, where the DC-8 is housed.
Flying over Antarctica Sea-ice and Glaciers
My job was to document the mission for education and outreach purposes, which included taking pictures and writing a blog about the day-to-day operations. I had a very unique experience flying on the DC-8 because each flight I went on was very different. The flights were 11 hours long, which included about 6-8 hours roundtrip flying from Chile to Antarctica and back. I was also five months pregnant at the time, so it was a good thing that the seats were very comfortable and I was able to move around freely when the pilots allowed it.
For one flight, we flew 1,500 feet over the Waddell Sea measuring sea-ice. Flying so close to the iceburgs was sureal, and the bright blue color of the water was beautiful. I also got to fly 1,500 feet over the Pine Island Glacier. Being so close to the ground, I could really make out all the crevasses within the glacier. A couple of the high altitude flights I went on included flying past the highest point in Antarctica, the Vinson Massif, and flying to the 86 degrees south latitudinal line, both at about 37,000 feet. For the flight to the 86 degree line, the pilots reported outside temperatures of -75 degrees F and said that was the coldest they had ever recorded flying the DC-8.
College students interested in flying onboard the NASA DC-8 should check out the Student Airborne Research Program. This program allows students in the Earth sciences and engineering fields to participate in a summer internship program with opportunities to do research using the DC-8.
Alexandra Matiella Novak - With a PhD in Geology and expertise in science education, Alexandra is passionate about increasing the public's Earth science literacy.
