NASA maintenance technicians inspect the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

US NASA pilot John Gustine uses a mobile phone next to the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

US pilot John Gustine of the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft poses for a photograph inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

A view of the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

The US co-pilot of the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft, Cary Klemm, poses for a photograph inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientist Gregg School prepares scientific instruments alongside the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

Scientists from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) prepare scientific instruments alongside the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)

A view of the NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft inside a hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodriguez Garrido Air Base in Arraijan, Panama, on September 18, 2026. The NASA high-altitude research aircraft is operating in Panama from August 24 to September 23 as part of a NOAA mission conducted in collaboration with NASA to study the atmosphere and measure aerosols, atmospheric gases, ozone, water vapor and weather conditions. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP via Getty Images)