NASA pilots flew a WB‑57F high‑altitude research aircraft from Ellington Field in Houston to Iceland to observe the total solar eclipse on August 12. The mission aimed to study the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere that is hotter than the visible surface. The corona can be examined only during totality when the Moon blocks the Sun’s bright disk. Flying at about 50,000 feet placed the aircraft above most clouds, dust, and water vapor, reducing atmospheric interference. At that altitude the instruments could record infrared wavelengths that are absorbed lower in the atmosphere. The flight path was calculated in advance to keep the aircraft within the Moon’s shadow for as long as possible. Pilot Tom Parent said the mission required close coordination between the science team, maintenance crew, and flight crew. Pilot John Gustine positioned the aircraft along the eclipse path to maximize observation time. Sensor operator Cary Klemm adjusted camera focus and exposure while tracking features during totality. Amir Caspi, principal investigator at Southwest Research Institute, said the high‑altitude platform provided unique access to needed wavelengths, especially because the eclipse path crossed a cloudy ocean region. Data collected will help scientists investigate solar plasma, magnetic fields, and space weather, processes that also occur throughout the universe.