National Mall

The National Mall in Washington, D.C., is featured in this image collect obtained by the TacSat-3 experimental demonstration during its 13-month mission. (U.S. Air Force image)

Kilauea Volcano

Image of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, taken by the TacSat-3's primary payload, the Advanced Responsive Tactically-Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer. (U.S. Air Force image)

Updated TacSat-3 Logo

TacSat-3 Logo

Tactical Satellite-3

Integration of the modular bus components on Tactical Satellite-3 is photographed at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, located at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. (Air Force photo)

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFMCNS)

Dean Hummel welds a cooling unit at the new Corrosion Control Paint and Depaint Facility now under construction. (Air Force photo by Sue Sapp)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFMCNS)

An X-ray was taken of a suspected device inside the airport terminal at the Advanced Improvised Explosive Device Disposal facility. The EOD unit used the photograph to determine their course of action for defusing the situation. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mike Meares)

AF experiments

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION -- A Space Shuttle Discovery astronaut installs a special carrier on the International Space Station that houses Air Force Research Laboratory experiments. Laboratory scientists are studying a variety of materials and how they react to the space environment as part of the Materials on the International Space Station Experiment managed by the AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.(NASA photo)

AF experiments to return home with Discovery

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Air Force and NASA integrators attach experiment material samples to a passive experiment container that has been bolted to the International Space Station since 2001. Air Force Research Laboratory scientists here are studying materials as part of the Materials on the International Space Station Experiment. The Discovery shuttle crew will remove the carriers and return them to Earth as part of their return-to-flight mission which launched July 26. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Airmen get ACCES to better communication

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Hendrick Ruck demonstrates the wear of the attenuating customized communications earpiece system while sitting the cockpit of one of Langley's new F/A-22 Raptors. Mr. Ruck is director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's research team from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman DeLicha E. Germany)

Airman tests new body armor

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Gerald Lowry displays the leg protector that is part of the new "Level 4" body armor being tested here by Air Force Research Laboratory officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The armor includes a new form of ceramic plate that can withstand more bullet strikes than current plates, as well as bicep and rib protectors. Sergeant Lowry is a 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron network administrator. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jason Robertson)

Air Force Research Lab gives new meaning to 'battlebots'

F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. - A robotic scout sprays simulated pepper spray at an aggressor demonstrating how remotely manned vehicles can conduct security forces missions here. The remote, detection, challenge and response system is an Air Force Research Laboratory initiative. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Darrick Lee)

Great idea saves Air Force money

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Kent Johnson's simple solution cleaned the thin tubes of an aircraft engine's augmenter fuel nozzle, saving the Air Force big money and earning him a $10,000 award through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program. He is a pneudrolics mechanic with Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center's fuel accessories shop here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

Vandenberg launches micro-satellite

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbital Sciences Minotaur rocket successfully launches from here April 11. The Minotaur carried the XSS-11 self-maneuvering, micro-satellite into orbit for the Air Force Research Laboratory. (U.S Air Force photo by Steve Cline)

Hybrid rocket successfully tested

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A large hybrid rocket motor successfully fires on its test stand here recently. The test took place on an Air Force Research Laboratory test stand on a ridge overlooking the dry lake bed and surrounding Mojave Desert here. (Courtesy photo)

AFRL tests new firefighting technology

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Firefighters here train using a new method to extinguish fires. The new method, developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's deployed base systems branch, combines high pressures with water and aqueous film-forming foam. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. William Powell)

AFRL experts supporting C-5A evaluation program

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Second Lt. Nathan Dozier investigates corrosion on an aircraft component using an optical microscope. Air Force Research Laboratory experts here will conduct investigations on C-5 Galaxy components using similar methods. Lieutenant Dozier is with the materials integrity branch at AFRL's materials and manufacturing directorate. (Courtesy photo)

Engineer follows path to education, success

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Dr. Nelson Forster readies a bearing test rig for measurement. Nelson, who works for the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, holds five patents. He hopes more young people will follow in his footsteps as the Air Force faces a critical shortage of scientists and engineers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Michael Kelly)

Propulsion team doubles capacitor capabilities

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- Sandra Fries-Carr analyzes the diamond-like carbon film deposited on foil in the Air Force Research Laboratory propulsion directorate's power division. The heat-resistant material is being developed for a wide variety of military applications from electrically driven aircraft accessories to pulse power applications like directed-energy weapons. (Courtesy photo)

Engineers develop improved robotic tractor

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Engineers from Air Force Research Laboratory's materials and manufacturing directorate designed an advanced robotic trenching tractor, called Robo Trencher, so combat engineers can perform cable trenching and excavation missions in dangerous locations. (Courtesy photo)

Thunderbolt upgrades

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Mark Perrodin (foreground) and Chris Duggie mount a template to an A-10 Thunderbolt II center wing assembly as part of A-10 service-life extension work. Both men are aircraft structural technicians with the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson)

Plane X-ray

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The new multiaxis X-ray detects aging aircraft problems like foreign object damage, corrosion and internal moisture on an F-15 Eagle at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center here. The system is projected to save the Air Force time and money, increase worker safety and reduce environmental hazards. (Courtesy photo)

AF File Photo

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- James Gunn (left) and Gene Fischer remove damaged titanium blast shields from a QF-4 Phantom II here. They are aircraft structural engineers. Mr. Gunn is from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Mr. Fischer is from the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dave Peterson)

Mars Rover Spirit lands

FILE ART -- Mars Rover Spirit, currently on the red planet, used a radiation-resistant computer to guide it to a safe landing Jan. 4. The computer was developed by experts at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. (Art courtesy of NASA)

A weightless experiment

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Travis Michalak (left) and 2nd Lt. Ryan Claycamp monitor an experiment aboard a specially equipped NASA KC-135A that simulates microgravity, or weightlessness, conditions in space. Both men are from the Air Force Research Laboratory's propulsion directorate. They endured about 160 weightless maneuvers to find new ways to cool electronic devices used in space vehicles like satellites, the space shuttle and the International Space Station. The team is attempting to remove the heat generated by electronic devices that will power the next-generation of space vehicles. (Courtesy photo)