Page 15 - Aerotech News Edwards History Edition September 2023

NASA, from 14
took place at the center. The shuttles concluded 54 space missions with a landing at Edwards and a return trip on the NASA 747 to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Also of consequence of the space program, Armstrong was involved in testing the pad launch abort test capsule for NASA’s Orion spacecraft, which is intended to eventually take astronauts on a journey to Mars. The capsule’s instrumentation and wiring took place at the center, as did its weight and balance, center of gravity and combined systems testing. The center also led the construction of the launch site at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico where the capsule successfully launched May 6, 2010.
See NASA, Page 16
LLRV flies with support chase Bell 47 helicopter. The helicopter was a second set of eyes for the research pilot, warning him of any problems. When test flights of the LLRV began in October 1964, the helicopter would hover close by, providing information such as altitude and descent rate. LLRV test operations were phased out in late 1966 and early 1967.
Left: The HL-10 was one of five heavyweight lifting-body designs flown at NASA’s Flight Research Center (now NASA Armstrong), Edwards, Calif., from July 1966 to November 1975 to study and validate the concept of safely maneuvering and landing a low lift-over-drag vehicle designed for reentry from space. Northrop Corporation built the HL-10 and M2-F2, the first two of the fleet of “heavy” lifting bodies flown.
The wingless, lifting body aircraft were lined up on Rogers Dry Lake at what is now NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. From left to right are the X-24A, M2-F3 and the HL-10. The lifting body aircraft studied the feasibility of maneuvering and landing an aerodynamic craft designed for reentry from space. These lifting bodies were air launched by a B-52 mother ship, then flew powered by their own rocket engines before making an unpowered approach and landing. They helped validate the concept that a space shuttle could make accurate landings without power.
Honoring our past Strengthening our future
Thank you to Edwards Air Force Base for your impact in our county and country.
@SupervisorBarger @KathrynBarger @SupervisorKathrynBarger KathrynBarger.LACounty.gov
September 22, 2023
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