Two NASA T-38 Talons: Training the Pilots and Astronauts Who Pushed the Limits

Some aircraft make headlines. Others make history behind the scenes.

The Northrop T-38 Talon is one of the most important jets most people never think about. Introduced in the early 1960s, it became the world’s first supersonic trainer and has shaped generations of high-performance pilots.

At NASA, the T-38 still plays a critical role today. Long before launch, astronauts are in the cockpit of a Talon, building the precision and discipline required for spaceflight.

This release features two NASA T-38 Talons. Each followed a different path. Together, they represent the full scope of NASA flight.

The Northrop T-38 Talon: The Jet Behind Generations of Elite Pilots

By U.S. Department of Defense - Defense.gov, Public Domain, Link

Developed by Northrop Corporation, the T-38 Talon was designed to prepare pilots for the demands of supersonic flight. Lightweight, fast, and highly responsive, it quickly became the standard for advanced jet training.

For decades, U.S. Air Force pilots trained in the T-38 before moving on to frontline aircraft. Its performance and handling made it ideal for teaching the fundamentals of high-speed flight, formation flying, and cockpit discipline.

NASA adopted the T-38 as part of its flight operations program, using it to train astronauts and support mission readiness. It remains one of the few aircraft that connects military aviation, research flight, and human spaceflight.

Before spaceflight, there is flight discipline. The T-38 is where that begins.

Two Talons, Two Missions

These two aircraft share the same platform but served very different roles within NASA.

One supported test pilots and research missions.
The other trained astronauts and supported human spaceflight operations.

Together, they tell the complete story of the T-38 at NASA.

AT-38B Talon N864NA (68-8113)

The Test Pilot’s Talon

By Jim Ross/NASA - http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/T-38/HTML/ED06-0072-8.html, Public Domain, Link

Built for the U.S. Air Force as a T-38A, this aircraft was later converted into the AT-38B configuration for advanced weapons training. That role required precision, adaptability, and a deeper level of pilot proficiency.

After its military service, the aircraft was transferred to NASA, where it became part of flight operations at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.

At Armstrong, it supported research missions and pilot proficiency, helping restore T-38 operations after a decade-long absence. It was flown by NASA test pilots, including
Kelly Latimer, whose work represents the next generation of aerospace research.

By NASA/Jim Ross - http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/multimedia/imagegallery/Guppy/ED13-0074-105.html (image link), Public Domain, Link

Its final journey was as unique as its service. In 2013, N864NA was loaded aboard the
Aero Spacelines Super Guppy and transported to Texas, marking the end of its operational life. This was a jet built to push boundaries. Check out its records here. 

NASA AT-38B Specifications (N864NA):

Manufacturer: Northrop Corporation
Model: AT-38B Talon
Registration: N864NA
Air Force S/N: 68-8113
Crew: 2 (Pilot + Co-pilot/Passenger)
Wing Span: 25 ft 3 in
Length: 46 ft 4 in
Height: 12 ft 10 in

NASA AT-38B Performance:

Max Range: 1,140 mi
Max Speed: Mach 1.08
Service Ceiling: 45,000 ft
Empty Weight: 6,500 lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 12,700 lb
Rate of Climb: 33,000 ft/min
Engine: 2x General Electric J85-GE-5A Turbojet

T-38N Talon N910NA (65-10352)

The Astronaut’s Talon

Photo by RedRipper24

Built in 1965 as a T-38A, this aircraft became part of the first generation of supersonic trainers that defined modern jet aviation. In 1978, it was transferred to NASA, where it entered service during a pivotal era in human spaceflight. Later upgraded to the T-38N configuration, the aircraft received modern avionics and radar, extending its capabilities and service life.

Operating from Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center, it played a vital role in astronaut training and transport missions between Houston and Cape Canaveral. Check out its records here. 

For astronauts, the T-38 is more than transportation. It is a tool for maintaining the skills required to operate in high-stakes environments. Long before launch, astronauts train in jets like this.

NASA T-38N Specifications (N910NA):

Manufacturer: Northrop Corporation
Model: T-38N Talon (NASA upgraded configuration)
Registration: N910NA
Air Force S/N: 65-10352
Crew: 2 (Pilot + Co-pilot/Passenger)
Wing Span: 25 ft 3 in
Length: 46 ft 4 in
Height: 12 ft 10 in

T-38N Modification: NASA-specific avionics modernization including a glass cockpit, updated navigation/communication systems, and safety/instrumentation upgrades

NASA T-38N Performance:

Max Range: 1,090 mi
Max Speed: Mach 1.08
Service Ceiling: 55,000+ ft
Empty Weight: 6,500 lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 12,093 lb
Rate of Climb: 33,000 ft/min
Engine: 2x General Electric J85-GE-5 Turbojet

Why NASA Still Flies the T-38

The continued use of the T-38 comes down to one simple fact. There is no substitute for real flight.

The aircraft teaches:

• High-speed decision making

• Formation flying

• Energy management

• Situational awareness

While simulators have advanced significantly, they cannot fully replicate the physical and mental demands of flying a high-performance jet. The T-38 keeps pilots sharp in a way no simulator can.

The Legacy of the Northrop T-38 Talon in Modern Aviation

Photo courtesy of NASA.

First flown in the early 1960s, the T-38 remains one of the longest-serving jet trainers in aviation history. While many aircraft from its era have been retired, the Talon continues to fly with both the U.S. Air Force and NASA. Its longevity comes from its design. The T-38 is fast, efficient, and purpose-built for training at the highest level.

Photo courtesy of NASA.

At NASA, it continues to support operations centered around the Johnson Space Center, helping astronauts maintain flight proficiency and readiness. Few aircraft have bridged the gap between runway and space as seamlessly as the T-38 Talon.

The two Talons featured here are part of that legacy, each representing a different path within the same remarkable program.

MotoArt Finds the Talons: From Flight Line to Workshop

These Talons had completed their service, but their story was not over. Like many aircraft that come through MotoArt, they were discovered with history still written across their surfaces. Years of flight left behind markings, wear, and character that could not be replicated.

The disassembly process is done with care. Each section is evaluated, preserved, and prepared for its next chapter. What might appear to be scrap is treated as material worth saving.

From there, the transformation begins. Aircraft skin is cut, shaped, and finished into individual PlaneTags. No two pieces are exactly alike. Each one carries subtle variations from its time in service.

This is how aviation history is preserved and made tangible. From runway to workshop, their story continues.

From Runway to Space

The story of the T-38 is not just about one mission. It is about the entire pipeline of flight. Test pilots refine the edge of what is possible. Astronauts carry that discipline into space. Both rely on the same aircraft.

These two Talons represent that connection. Different missions, shared purpose. Every launch begins long before liftoff.

Own a Piece of NASA Flight History

Each PlaneTag in this release is made from authentic material sourced from these two NASA T-38 Talons.

No two tags are exactly alike. Each one carries the marks of its past life, from subtle surface variations to the unique finish of the original aircraft skin.

This limited release goes live Thursday, April 16, 2025, but guests traveling to Lakeland Florida for Sun N Fun will be able to grab one or both T-38s in our booth. 

Two aircraft. Two missions. One collection. Complete the story.

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