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Lockheed Martin photograph
The team at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, Calif., merged the major sections of the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology aircraft, which Access the Aerotech News web
site at www.aerotechnews.com
includes the wing, tail assembly, and fuselage or forward section. This marks the first time the X-59 resembles an actual aircraft.
Submissions for upcoming events, air
Space Center in Florida. cluded a number of tasks for the Orion Ascent System rocket, which will launch Orion into deep shows and museums
Armstrong also was involved in testing the Abort-2 (AA-2) that launched successfully July space, was tested onboard Armstrong’s F-18 air- should be emailed to
pad launch abort test capsule for NASA’s Orion 2, 2019, which was a key milestone in preparation craft that flew nearly vertical to simulate a rocket editor@aerotechnews.com.
spacecraft. The capsule’s instrumentation and for Artemis missions to the Moon. The team was flight path. An Armstrong F-18 was also used to For questions concerning the web site,
wiring took place at the center, as did its weight key to data systems for the AA-2 flight test ve- test a radar system that helped land the Mars Cu- contact the webmaster at
and balance, center of gravity and combined sys- hicle, ensuring engineers had all the information riosity rover on the surface of the planet in 2012. webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
tems testing. The center also led the construction they need to assess how the spacecraft’s launch NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, man-
of the launch site at White Sands Missile Range abort system can pull the Orion crew module to aged by NASA Armstrong, rapidly demonstrates
in New Mexico where the capsule successfully safety in an emergency. promising technologies for space exploration, Where you can get
launched May 6, 2010. The center has also assisted in testing systems discovery, and the expansion of space commerce Aerotech News and Review
Another NASA Armstrong contribution in- in flight. Software for the agency’s Space Launch through suborbital testing with industry flight pro- For information on
viders. The program matures capabilities needed Aerotech distribution, call
for NASA missions and commercial applications (661) 945-5634 or visit
while strategically investing in the growth of the www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
U.S. commercial spaceflight industry.
These flight tests take technologies from
ground-based laboratories into relevant envi-
ronments to increase technology readiness and Aerotech News and Review is published
every other Friday, serving the
validate feasibility while reducing the costs and aerospace and defense industry of
technical risks of future missions. Among other Southern California, Nevada and
successes, the program supported testing of the Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
technology that helped the Perseverance Rover is noon on the Tuesday prior to
find a safe place to land on Mars. publication. The publisher assumes no
responsibility for error in ads other
Aeronautics Milestones than space used. Your comments are
Speed isn’t only the regime of space vehicles. welcomed and encouraged. Write to
Armstrong researchers explored the realm of the address below.
hypersonic speed with the first integrated hyper-
sonic scramjet engine, the X-43. The air-breath-
ing engines propelled the vehicle to speeds of • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
Mach 7, about 4,500 mph, and nearly to Mach • Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
10, or roughly 7,000 mph, during separate flights • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
in 2004, setting a Guinness World Record for air- • National Advertising
breathing propulsion. Manager .....................Paul Kinison
High speed isn’t always the goal, as demon-
strated during the Environmental Research Air-
craft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. Aerotech News and Review
One of the aircraft that flew in that program was e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
NASA photograph the Helios Prototype, which cruised at 25 mph Visit our web site at
This 1953 photo shows some of the research aircraft at the NACA High-Speed Flight Research powered by solar powered electric motors about
Station (now known as NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in California). The photo shows as powerful as a hairdryer. www.aerotechnews.com
the X-3 (center) and clockwise from left the X-1A (Air Force No. 48-1384), the third D-558-1 (NACA ERAST, which was managed at NASA Arm-
No. 142), the XF-92A, the X-5, the D-558-2, and the X-4.
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