NASA's T-38 trainer jet debuts Artemis-inspired paint scheme

NASA has unveiled a new livery for one of its T-38 training jets, featuring a black-and-white design with blue and red stripes, the Artemis program logo, and Moon imagery on the rear fuselage. The jet, tail number N924NA, was chosen because it was next in line for repainting, and the design was proposed by T-38 project pilot Sean Brady. The T-38 has been used by NASA since 1962 to train astronauts and maintain pilot proficiency, with 14 active jets currently based at Ellington Airport.

EXPANDED:

The T-38 Talon has been part of NASA's fleet since 1962, when the Air Force first loaned the supersonic trainers to the agency. Today, 14 active jets operate from Ellington Airport near Houston, with most still wearing the classic blue stripe livery that has defined NASA aircraft for decades. The newly painted jet, tail number N924NA, was simply next in line for routine repainting when the special design was applied.

The Artemis III crew, including mission specialist Andre Douglas, is targeted to launch no earlier than June 2027 to test rendezvous techniques with prototype lunar landers. A successful Artemis III could lead to Artemis IV, potentially landing astronauts on the Moon as soon as 2028, with plans for a lunar south pole base to support future