During 30 years of service with NASA the XB-70 was used extensively in many roles.  Beginning as a vehicle investigating the performance characteristics of high-speed flight by large aircraft, it contributed valuable information that proved critical to the eventual success of the first American SST, the Boeing Stratostar. Following that it became the first aircraft to launch a satellite when the McDonnell Douglas Loki streaked from its back and placed a military communications system into orbit.  In a move which some saw as helping the competition, it spent time as a chase aircraft for the first three flights of the European HOTOL project, for which the crew were knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

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It was decided that the airframe would be retired in 1996, but sentimentality kept it flying for one more year, when it acted as an ambassador for the 50th anniversary of the United States Air Force.  For this it was painted in pre-war colors of blue and yellow, making  it a striking subject at airshows around the world.

Dave