In a move that has astronauts fighting over flight assignments like kids over a new toy, NASA has unveiled a snazzy new paint job for one of its iconic T-38 trainer jets. The 'Artemis livery' is the first major redesign in decades, swapping the classic blue stripes for a black-and-white scheme with red and blue accents, plus a Moon graphic on the rear fuselage to remind everyone what the agency is aiming for.

Sean Brady, the T-38 project pilot who designed the livery, explained the goal: 'A common question I get from the public is if the T-38 flies into space, and the answer is no. I think that's an honest question.' Indeed, the poor jets are often mistaken for spacecraft - probably because they're flown by astronauts and look like they could outrun a meteor. Brady's design aims to bridge that communication gap and tie the training jets to the Artemis program.

The Northrop T-38 'Talon' has been NASA's trusty steed since 1962, when the Air Force loaned the first ones. Today, Johnson Space Center keeps 14 active T-38s at Ellington Airport, used to train new astronauts and keep veteran pilots sharp. All but one sport the classic blue stripe livery from 1976, which itself replaced the original 'white rocket' look. The new Artemis jet, tail number N924NA, was chosen simply because it was next in line for repainting - no favoritism, just paint scheduling.

Astronaut Andre Douglas, set to fly on Artemis III, gushed on social media: 'The jet paint job was a nice treat!' He and crewmates Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio, and ESA's Luca Parmitano are slated for a no-earlier-than-June 2027 mission to test lunar lander docking techniques in Earth orbit. If that goes well, Artemis IV could put boots on the Moon by 2028, with plans for a lunar south pole base to mine water ice and prep for Mars.

Brady hinted that another T-38 might get a similar treatment, possibly with gold and silver stripes and a far-side Moon graphic. Meanwhile, other NASA aircraft - like the new Boeing 777 and 737 - have also debuted fresh paint, and the WB-57 and Gulfstream V got a logo marking America's 250th anniversary. The Artemis livery is the fifth design change for the T-38s, following the 'worm' logo era, the 'meatball' restoration, and the worm's comeback in 2023. At this rate, NASA's fleet will be the best-dressed in the solar system.