Why Every Astronaut Since 1964 Has Flown The Same Jet That NASA Must Now Replace

The Northrop T-38N Talon has been a staple of NASA's astronaut program since 1964. The fleet of 25 lightweight, supersonic jets fulfills numerous missions as a chase plane, training tool for spacecraft pilots, and flying testbed. Yet, the years are catching up to the venerable fighter as its support network teeters on the edge of final collapse. NASA has been pushed into the move by the US Air Force's transition away from its own T-38s into the new Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk.