Editing Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (section)

===NASA===
[[File:306705main EC80-14126 full.jpg|thumb|alt=Formation of NASA F-104 and F-15|[[NASA]] [[F-15]] and F-104 testing [[Space Shuttle]] tiles]]
[[File:NASA F-104.jpg|thumb|NASA F-104 on display at [[Edwards Air Force Base]]]]
The Starfighter served with [[NASA]] from 1956 until 1994. A total of 12 F-104A, F-104B, F-104N, and TF-104G aircraft performed high-speed and altitude flight research at [[Dryden Flight Research Center]]. The F-104 also performed many safety chase missions in support of advanced research aircraft and provided a launch platform for [[sounding rocket]]s.<ref name="Dobrzyński2015p90">Dobrzyński 2015, p. 90.</ref>

In August 1956, the USAF transferred YF-104A serial number 55–2961 to the [[National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics]] (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), designating it NF-104A. In preparation for the [[X-15]] test program of the late 1950s, it was fitted with the reaction control system (RCS) consisting of hydrogen peroxide-powered thrusters mounted in the aircraft's nose and wingtips. This system provided valuable experience for future X-15 pilots and astronauts in spacecraft control and maneuverability. The trials began in 1959 and concluded in 1961, after which the aircraft was used for other NASA purposes until it was retired in November 1975.<ref name="Dobrzyński2015p90"/>

An F-104B, originally USAF 57-1303 later received civil registry as N819NA, NASA 819. It became the longest-serving NASA F-104 in both calendar time (1958–1978) and flight hours. Its credits include being the first aircraft in history to perform manned testing of a [[ballute]] at supersonic speed. It was also the first to test piloted landings of vehicles such as the X-15 and lifting bodies with the pilot using only stereo periscopic vision. It was used extensively for biomedical research, evaluation of new full pressure suits, and general utility duties for NASA research. One notable case was its service as the final chase plane for the official FAI world altitude record flight of the #3 X-15.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Between August and October 1963, Lockheed delivered three single-seat F-104G Starfighters to NASA, designated F-104N, for use as high-speed chase aircraft. These were the only Starfighters built by Lockheed specifically for NASA; all other NASA aircraft were transferred from the USAF. The third of these F-104Ns, number 013, was destroyed on 8 June 1966 in a mid-air collision with a [[North American XB-70]] during a publicity photo flight for [[General Electric]].<ref name="Dobrzyński2015p90"/>

One NASA F-104G, registration N826NA, was equipped with a flight test fixture (FTF) consisting of a pylon mounted on the fuselage centerline. The FTF contained instruments to record and transmit research data in real-time to engineers in mission control at Dryden. One application of the FTF was testing heat-resistant tiles for use on the [[Space Shuttle]], ensuring their bonding was sufficient at high speeds and evaluating their performance when exposed to moisture. The last of these missions flew on 31 January 1994, bringing the F-104's service with NASA to a close after more than 18,000 flights.<ref name="Dobrzyński2015p90"/>