AMES 990A Laboratory Aircraft

AMES RESEARCH CENTER
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Moffett Field, California

NASA - AMES 990A Laboratory Aircraft
GENERAL: The plane is a modified jet transport able to fly above most of the atmosphere. It is capable of handling a range of research projects, such as supersonic transport studies and aurora borealis observations. It provides a large, convenient stable platform for high altitude research, which will include: aerodynamics; navigation; mapping; meteorology; studies of sun, stars and planets; and geophysical observations.

RANGE: 3850 statute miles with 25770 pounds payload and 18000 pounds fuel reserve.

SPEED: 621 miles per hour, maximum cruise.

WEIGHT: 253000 pounds maximum takeoff weight.
202000 pounds maximum landing weight.
115000 pounds empty weight.

PAYLOAD: 25770 pounds at normal 35000 feet cruise altitude.
15000 pounds for a 4-hour flight at 40000 feet.

DIMENSIONS: Length, 139 feet 9 inches.
Wingspread, 120 feet.
Fuselage width, 11 feet 6 inches.
Working space, 1380 square feet.
Wing sweeps back, 39 degrees.
Four anti-shock bodies on wing for continuous airflow.
13 overhead observation ports of special optical glass.

LANDING: At most airports used by four-engine propeller planes. Electronic anti-skid braking system for wet runway stops. Wet runway landing distance with thrust reversers, 3435 feet.

CREW: Two pilots and one flight engineer.

MANUFACTURER: Convair Division, General Dynamics Corporation.

ENGINES: Four General Electric CJ-805 fan-jet engines.
Standard sea-level thrust: 16100 pounds per engine.

FUEL: Conventional jet fuel. Maximum gallons: 15708 weighing 105000 pounds.

AIR CONDITIONING: Dual system changes cabin air every 2.5 minutes.

NASA - AMES 990A Laboratory Aircraft
GENERAL:	The plane is a modified jet transport able to fly above most of the atmosphere. It is capable of handling a range of research projects, such as supersonic transport studies and aurora borealis observations. It provides a large, convenient stable platform for high altitude research, which will include: aerodynamics; navigation; mapping; meteorology; studies of sun, stars and planets; and geophysical observations.
RANGE:	3850 statute miles with 25770 pounds payload and 18000 pounds fuel reserve.
SPEED:	621 miles per hour, maximum cruise.
WEIGHT:	253000 pounds maximum takeoff weight. 202000 pounds maximum landing weight. 115000 pounds empty weight.
PAYLOAD:	25770 pounds at normal 35000 feet cruise altitude. 15000 pounds for a 4-hour flight at 40000 feet.
DIMENSIONS:	Length, 139 feet 9 inches. Wingspread, 120 feet. Fuselage width, 11 feet 6 inches. Working space, 1380 square feet. Wing sweeps back, 39 degrees. Four anti-shock bodies on wing for continuous airflow. 13 overhead observation ports of special optical glass.
LANDING:	At most airports used by four-engine propeller planes. Electronic anti-skid braking system for wet runway stops. Wet runway landing distance with thrust reversers, 3435 feet.
CREW:	Two pilots and one flight engineer.
MANUFACTURER:	Convair Division, General Dynamics Corporation.
ENGINES:	Four General Electric CJ-805 fan-jet engines. Standard sea-level thrust: 16100 pounds per engine.
FUEL:	Conventional jet fuel. Maximum gallons: 15708 weighing 105000 pounds.
AIR CONDITIONING:	Dual system changes cabin air every 2.5 minutes.