Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, May 18 2018

DREAM CHASER, from 1
and Development Center Hyperson- ics Combined Test Force for range safety analysis and flight test support. AFRC, the 412th TW, and HCTF support enabled Sierra Nevada to successfully test their Dream Chaser vehicle in the approach and landing phase.
dergoing ground and flight testing to validate critical avionics and air data systems and verify aerodynamic char- acteristics. The testing culminated in a successful runway landing Nov. 11, 2017.
During tow and taxi tests, a pickup truck pulled the Dream Chaser test vehicle on California’s Edwards Air Force Base’s two concrete runways to validate the performance of the spacecraft’s nose skid, brakes, tires and guidance, navigation and control systems. The company performed the tow tests, with releases at speeds up to 60 mph. Taxi tow tests are standard
for winged vehicles to prove the over- all spacecraft handling post-landing.
Once ground structural testing and tow tests were complete, Dream Chaser performed a two-flight cap- tive-carry phase during which a Co- lumbia Chinook helicopter picked it up and flew it over the proposed path for the future approach and landing free flight test.
The vehicle’s flight computer, guidance, navigation and control system, and state-of-the-art flush air data system were tested, as well as the landing gear and nose skid. Following the captive carry phase, the Dream
Chaser performed a free flight test on November 11, being released by the Chinook from approximately 10,000 feet above ground level and autono- mously flown to Edwards AFB Run- way 22L, successfully landing and rolling out to a full stop. This is the first time a space shuttle has landed
on a concrete runway.
Armstrong provided hangar space,
engineering support and access to the restricted airspace at Edwards Air Force Base. Additionally, the project relied on the base’s support from its Air Force Test Center’s 412th Test Wing and Arnold Air Engineering
SNC Dream Chaser is lifted on to a truck in NASA Armstrong’s historic space shuttle hangar where the spacecraft stayed as it was being prepared for testing and flights. Dream Chaser is in Colorado at a SNC facility.
NASA photograph by Ken Ulbrich
NASA photograph by Ken Ulbrich
SNC Dream Chaser is in NASA Armstrong, previously known as space shuttle, hangar being loaded on truck for its departure from the center heading to SNC in Colorado.
Antelope Valley veterans round-up
by Dennis Anderson
special to Aerotech News
Coffee4Vets
A packed session of Coffee4Vets May 8 covered accounts of service ranging from World War II to Vietnam.
Los Angeles Sheriffs Deputy Ray Wilson told of how the leaders and fighter pilots of the Tuske- gee Airmen fought and beat prejudice during World War II, along with defeating the Nazis of the Third Reich.
During his talk, Wilson recounted how a white officer, Army Air Corps Col. Noel Parrish put his career on the line to support the pilots of the Tuskegee all-African-American fighter unit that distinguished itself years before President Harry Truman’s order to desegregate the armed forces.
First Lt. Myron Wilson, who lived in the Antelope Valley, flew with the Tuskegee pilots, known as the “Red Tails,” who racked up the most successful fighter escort record in the war. Parrish, like the unit’s African-American Commander, Benjamin O. Davis, retired as a brigadier general.
Vietnam Memorial Wall
The Antelope Valley Mobile Vietnam Memorial, the A.V. Wall, will present at Phelan Community Park for the Memorial Day period. The half-scale tribute to the Vietnam Memorial will be on display from May 25-29, and be taken down at 8 a.m., May 29. Volunteers are needed, said Vietnam veteran Michael Bertell, president Of Point Man, Antelope Valley. For more information see www.avwall.org.
Veterans recognition
On May 25, veterans of the U.S. armed services will be recognized at the Ellison John Transi- tional Care Center. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Vietnam-era veterans will be pinned, said Misty Montagna, who is coordinating the event at 43830 10th Street West in Lancaster, site of the former Lancaster Community Hospital. All veterans are welcome, and there will be entertainment and refreshments after the 10 a.m. ceremonies, including the National Guard Band Of the Golden West.
Vets home barbecue
On May 28, Memorial Day, volunteers from Coffee4vets will host a barbecue for residents of the William J.”Pete” Knight Veterans Home, said Terry Wagner, who served as a Marine sergeant during the Vietnam War. Pork and beef ribs with all trimmings are on the menu.
If interested in volunteering or just having coffee with friends from service days, come to Cof- fee4vets 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Tuesdays at Crazy Otto’s restaurant on Avenue I in Lancaster where the coffee is free and menu for veterans and guests is half price.
Photograph by Dennis Anderson Los Angeles Sheriffs Deputy Ray Wilson speaks at the Coffee4Vets event May 8.
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