File:Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker ‘N930NA’ (39589896675).jpg

c/n 17969, l/n 384. Built in 1960 with the US military serial 59-1481 but immediately became N98 with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Pacific route proving flights. She later transferred to NASA, initially as ‘930’ but later becoming N930NA. NASA used her in the ‘Reduced Gravity Program’ simulating reduced or zero-gravity for astronaut training and experiments. She was officially named “Weightless Wonder IV”, although she was more commonly known as the ‘Vomit Comet’. She was also used for filming the weightless scenes used in the “Apollo 13” movie (Tom Hanks / Kevin Bacon) but she was retired in 1995 and is now permanently on display at the main entrance to Ellington Airport, Harris County, Texas, United States. 18th March 2017

The following history for N930NA was written by Eileen Hawley for the 30th June 2000 edition of Johnson Space Centre’s “Space Centre Roundup” (Vol 39, No13):-

“For more than 20 years, NASA930 flew high over the Gulf of Mexico performing a series of arcs and dives that no doubt looked like some sort of aerial ballet. In the process, critical space hardware was validated for flight, astronauts learned to work in zero-g, and researchers gained valuable insight into the behaviour of fluids, flames and mechanics in microgravity. And now, mounted at the entrance to Ellington Field, this historic aircraft appears permanently poised for takeoff. All that remains inside its now empty shell are the memories of those who were there for the more than 58,000 parabolas flown by NASA 930 during its career. Its chairs, wall coverings, and electrical and mechanical systems have been removed. Small openings, hatches and doors are riveted shut. Its landing gear wheels are locked in place. But the aircraft leaves behind a legacy, playing a unique role in the nation’s space program and occupying a place in history. NASA 930 began its career as an Air Force tanker, rolling off the Boeing Aircraft Company production line in 1959 – the same year the Mercury 7 astronauts were selected. At some point, it was transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration where it performed extensive aircraft pattern work verifying airport information. Its final base of operation for the FAA was Honolulu, Hawaii. When the aircraft reached its designed service lifetime of 13,000 hours of flight time, it was placed in storage at Tinker Air Force Base. Subsequent fatigue analysis studies, engineering change proposals and Boeing’s Aircraft Structural Integrity Program extended the service lifetime of the aircraft, and, in September 1972, the aircraft – known by its serial number 59-1481 – was selected as the fourth KC-135 aircraft for use in the Reduced Gravity Program. The Reduced Gravity Program actually began at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in 1957. Three piston-engine C-131 aircraft were the first used for zero-g flights. Two KC-135As and one C-135 followed. NASA 930 became the fourth of the 135-style aircraft to be used in the zero-g program and the first wholly owned and operated by the space agency. Now out of storage, the aircraft was sent to the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas, for required maintenance work. With those repairs complete, the plane was flown back to Tinker Air Force Base for additional zero-g modifications and, on August 15, 1973, was flown to Ellington Field. Its first zero-g foray took place on September 6, 1973. In the next 20 years, NASA 930 would host a variety of experiments and researchers. From Astronaut Bob Crippen who tested the mobility and performance of EVA suits being designed for use by shuttle astronauts, to researchers gathering information on neurovestibular responses to microgravity, to experiments that validated performance of the shuttle’s Orbital Maneuvering System fuel tanks, NASA 930 played a key role in human Apollo 13 Director Ron Howard and KC-135 Flight Engineer Sandy Sloan space flight. The aircraft gained some public popularity in late 1994 and early 1995 as director Ron Howard and the stars of Apollo 13 visited Ellington Field and filmed key footage for that movie. NASA 930 flew its final parabola on July 21, 1995. The final flight of NASA 930 inaugurated a new and exciting KC-135 program at JSC, hosting the pilot program of the KC-135 Student Flight Campaign, now in its fifth year. Retired from flight on July 21, 1995, NASA 930 remained in “flyable storage status” at Ellington Field for more than one year as discussions on its ultimate fate continued. In 1996, KC-135 flight engineer Sandy Sloan began a “reclamation process,” removing equipment and hardware from the plane. “Every time we had a spare hour from our normal duties, I was working with (aviation support contractor) DynCorp to take something off that plane,” said Sloan. Some of the removed parts were taken to the shop, serviced, and certified and now are available for use on its replacement – NASA 931. And now, after 17,791 hours of flight and 58,236 parabolas, NASA 930 stands proudly at the gates to Ellington Field. Retired after a 20-year career and revered by those who flew it, the old KC-135 is a