Supersonic flight research. NASA photographer Carla Thomas flying on a supersonic flight in a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. This flight was part of the Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) programme, flown from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, USA. These flights help NASA researchers measure the effect of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms reaching the ground. This will help engineers further the study of shockwaves, and will assist in the development of tools necessary to further the development of future supersonic commercial aircraft. Photographed in 2017.