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NASA flight photographers capture history from a perspective few ever experience, getting a rare bird\u2019s-eye view of the agency\u2019s missions in action. Their photos document key NASA research and give the public a front-row seat to the work happening behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
Jim Ross, a photographer at NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, flew over Washington during the Fourth of July celebration to document a NASA flyover commemorating America\u2019s 250th birthday. He\u2019s captured some of the agency\u2019s most exhilarating milestones, like early SR-71 flights, the delivery flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour to Los Angeles, and first flights of NASA\u2019s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in Bozeman, Montana, when it was still considered a small town, so if someone told that little kid that he would be flying in a F-18 over the National Mall, he would have never believed it,\u201d Ross said. \u201cI love documenting history, and having the opportunity to capture flights and launches has kept me doing it for almost 37 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ross began his aviation photography career in 1989 when he joined the staff at NASA Armstrong (then Dryden). He became the photo lead in 1997, a title he retains. <\/p>\n
Check out his images from the flyover here: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n