Dec. 8, 2004

Elvia Thompson 
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1696)

Gray Creech
Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif.
(Phone: 661/276-2662) 

Capt. Kelly George
U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards, AFB
(Phone: 661/277-6083)
MEDIA ADVISORY: M04-201

NASA'S FAMED B-52B "MOTHERSHIP" RETIRING

After nearly a half-century of dropping advanced flight research 
vehicles instead of bombs, NASA is retiring its B-52B "mothership." 
The venerable airplane's retirement ends an illustrious career for 
the rugged research aircraft. 

The Air Force Flight Test Center and NASA's Dryden Flight Research 
Center are hosting a formal retirement ceremony for the plane at 10 
a.m. PST, Friday, Dec. 17 at Dryden. 

The ceremony includes the formal transfer of the B-52B by Dryden 
Center Director Kevin Petersen to Brig. Gen. Curtis Bedke, commander 
of the Air Force Flight Test Center, for final disposition. Tentative 
plans call for placing the aircraft on permanent display at Edwards 
Air Force Base. 

Operated by Dryden for most of its lifetime, the plane participated in 
some of the most significant projects in aerospace history. The air 
launch and research aircraft holds the distinction of being NASA's 
oldest aircraft, as well as being the oldest B-52 still flying. 

Media representatives planning to attend the ceremony should contact 
Dryden's Public Affairs office for accreditation no later than 6 p.m. 
EST, Tuesday, Dec. 14 by calling 661/276-3449; or faxing request to: 
661/276-3566. Journalists may send email requests to: 
gray.creech@dfrc.nasa.gov. 

	
-end-