NASA Stages Max Power Air Show at Kennedy
NASA's Max Power air show took place on the former shuttle runway at Kennedy Space Center, with Administrator Jared Isaacman performing.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Space
Live Poll
Should the U.S. government keep funding NASA's crewed lunar missions?
NASA held its Max Power air show on November 7, 2026, on the former space shuttle runway at Kennedy Space Center. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew two jets, flew a MiG-29 solo, and parachuted out of an airplane during the two-day event.
Why it matters
The event pairs NASA's public outreach with aerial demonstrations on the runway where space shuttle orbiters once landed. It also highlights the agency's preparations for the Artemis program's lunar missions.
The Air Force Thunderbirds performed a 45-minute routine, and the NASA Freedom 250 performance team flew five jets during the event. The runway at Kennedy Space Center previously hosted 78 space shuttle orbiter landings, and NASA is training 32 active astronauts for lunar landings.
The players
Jared Isaacman
Jared Isaacman is the NASA Administrator and founder of Draken, a Lakeland-based company that trains jet fighter pilots.
Randy Bresnik
Randy Bresnik is a NASA astronaut who leads the Artemis III crew.
Doug Wheelock
Doug Wheelock is a veteran NASA astronaut helping train astronauts for lunar landings.
The details
The Max Power air show featured the five-jet NASA Freedom 250 performance team, along with Isaacman's solo MiG-29 flight and his parachute jump. Crowds were spread across the west end of the former shuttle runway, and the show repeats its performances on Sunday.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Max Power air show held at Kennedy Space Center.
November 8, 2026: Second day of the air show scheduled.
2027: Artemis III mission planned to test docking with lunar landers.
Historical Context
The air show took place on the same runway that hosted 78 space shuttle orbiter landings during the shuttle program. The event continues the runway's use for public-facing space and aviation activity as NASA prepares for the Artemis lunar missions.
Florida residents and visitors can see NASA's aerial demonstrations at Kennedy Space Center during the two-day event. The Artemis III mission's planned 2027 docking test may bring the lunar landing program closer to crewed landings.
The takeaway
NASA's use of the former shuttle runway for public demonstrations shows how the agency is combining outreach with preparations for its next lunar missions. Readers interested in the Artemis program can follow its planned 2027 docking tests.
What happens next
The air show repeats its performances on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and the Artemis III docking test mission is planned for 2027.
Further reading
For more on the agency's lunar plans, see Space coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Orlando Sentinel.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. government keep funding NASA's crewed lunar missions?
