Aero Spacelines Super Guppy

22 Apr 2026 · © Raid_nations02

The iconic NASA Super Guppy on display, renowned for its bulging fuselage designed to transport oversized space components. Only a handful were ever built.

4 likes 1 comments

Comments (1)

Siliconserver · 22 Apr 2026

Awesome! ✈️

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Aircraft

Super Guppy KC-97J

NASA silver/blue

Airline

NASA

Manufacturer

Aero Spacelines

Gear

Canon EOS Rebel T7I 55-300MM

Achievements

Cargo King, Turboprop Tracker, Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Prop to Jet

5 badges earned

Location

Lakeland Linder International Airport

LAL/KLAL

27.9893, -82.0207

Open map

Lakeland Linder International Airport LAL

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy is a unique cargo transport aircraft designed specifically to carry oversized cargo for the aerospace industry, notably Saturn rocket components for NASA\'s Apollo missions and large space hardware since the 1960s.

Fleet Rarity

Only five Super Guppies were ever built; NASA operates or maintains the only one flying today.

Record Flights

Used for ferrying outsized NASA hardware, including segments of the International Space Station, and famous as one of the few aircraft able to transport rocket boosters and spacecraft sections.

Safety & Events

No major accidents; notable for its role supporting the U.S. space program. Frequently displayed at airshows.

Future Outlook

One airworthy example still operational with NASA, used for special missions; others preserved in museums.

Specifications

Allison 501-D22C turboprop

Engine

47.6 m

Wingspan

43.8 m

Length

3,219 km

Range

460 km/h

Speed

Maximum payload: 24,500 kg

Capacity

77,110 kg

MTOW

14.8 m

Height