NASA to Reveal New X-Plane at Max Power Airshow

What New X-Plane Details Will Isaacman Announce at Max Power?

NASA is preparing to pull back the curtain on its latest experimental aircraft. Administrator Jared Isaacman teased the upcoming reveal during an appearance on The Flame Trench podcast, telling listeners that the agency will unveil an aircraft that is not the one you’re thinking about.

Isaacman has made revitalizing the agency’s experimental aircraft portfolio a core priority since taking office, pledging early in his tenure during a town hall with NASA staff on just his second day on the job in December 2025 that there will be more X-planes. External collaborators partnering on the expo alongside the agency include Air Dot Show, Delaware North, Space Florida, Purpose Entertainment, and UP.Summit.

Why Is NASA Staying Quiet on the Status of SR-71 Tail Number 844?

Speculation has swirled regarding the whereabouts of an SR-71 Blackbird that mysteriously disappeared from public display earlier this year, alongside reports that NASA has been courting former SR-71 program members for a return-to-flight effort. The matter of the missing aircraft and subsequent return-to-flight discussions emerged after Isaacman showed an image during a presentation while talking about plans for new X-planes. During his podcast appearance, Isaacman was asked whether tail number 844 had been powered on yet.

When pressed on the status of the aircraft, Isaacman offered a deflection. NASA stated that while they recognize the public interest in the SR-71 and its remarkable history at the agency, they have no additional information to share regarding the aircraft at this time.

What Activities and Exhibits Are Scheduled for the Weekend?

Beyond the incoming X-plane announcement, the public-facing aerospace exposition features a packed schedule of flight demonstrations, press briefings, and hardware showcases. Gates open at 9 a.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, welcoming innovators, engineers, and families alike through multiple park experiences highlighting the newest aircraft, autonomous vehicles, and technologies defining the future of air and space. The multi-day gathering also serves as the culmination of the agency’s recent Inspiration Tour, which featured numerous flyovers showcasing NASA’s fleet of aircraft across the country.

• Quiet Supersonic Flight: NASA will display its quiet supersonic X-59 plane, accompanied by a dedicated media gaggle scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. in the UP.Summit Exhibit Area featuring Aeronautics Division Director Laurie Grindle, Quesst Mission Manager Peter Coen from NASA Langley, and test pilot Jim “Clue” Less from NASA Armstrong.
• Nuclear NASA Media Gaggle: A specialized media briefing is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. on the UP.Summit Main Stage featuring Cynthia Simmons, director of the Space Reactors Division.
• Lunar Outpost Updates: Agency leadership will host a Moon Base news conference at 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 from the Press Site Auditorium featuring NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, Moon Base Program Manager Carlos García-Galán, Associate Administrator for Science at NASA Headquarters Nicky Fox, and Utility and Infrastructure Office Acting Director Dayna Ise to detail humanity’s first long-term exploration outpost near the lunar South Pole.
• Student Challenge Announcement: A dedicated student challenge announcement is set for Sunday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Rocket Garden, featuring participants Jared Isaacman and Carlos García-Galán.
• Astronaut Appearances: Public events include scheduled meet-and-greets with NASA’s Artemis III crew on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 12:45 p.m. on the Air Dot Show Main Stage, as well as NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway at the same time and location.
• Aerial Demonstrations: The weekend program includes opening air show remarks featuring NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by recurring F-5 flyovers at 11:58 a.m. and MiG-29 flyovers at 1:31 p.m. featuring NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. Isaacman also recently visited NASA Armstrong primarily to mark the naming of Troy Asher as the facility’s new director.

How Does NASA Plan to Turn Kennedy Space Center Into a Global Aviation Hub?

MAX POWER brings together the legacy of NASA with companies and technologies shaping what comes next, aiming to ignite the spirit of exploration and inspire the next generation of explorers, builders, and dreamers. Visitors can experience multiple park experiences across Kennedy Space Center locations, including the Gantry, Apollo Saturn V Center, and the Vehicle Assembly Building.

The expo provides the public with a front-row seat to advanced aircraft, autonomous systems, commercial space initiatives, lunar surface return efforts, and technologies strengthening America’s aerospace industrial base. Teams across the grounds highlight ongoing work in aviation, exploration, and innovation dedicated to the benefit of humanity.