NASA's 737 aircraft was painted in Oklahoma during the week of Aug. 13, 2026, as it progresses with modifications for use as a reduced gravity test aircraft, NASA reported that Thursday. A newly painted photo of the aircraft on a ramp in Oklahoma was also released.

NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, took ownership of the aircraft from the United States Air Force in June. According to NASA, the aircraft will perform lunar-gravity parabolic flights to validate astronaut lunar suits and associated crew systems required to support Artemis mission objectives. Those flights will take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for reduced-gravity operations, with NASA Armstrong oversight.

NASA added that the aircraft will serve as a key asset for systems-integration research for flight testing autonomy, sensors and other digital systems.