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Successful X-43A mission proves scramjets work NASA REPORT Posted: April 7, 2004
The initial data review, conducted on March 31, confirmed high-fidelity flight data was obtained throughout the vehicle's boost, stage separation and descent to splash down. "The data clearly shows, and without question, that scramjets work," said X-43A chief engineer Griff Corpening of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), Edwards, Calif. "But we did see a couple of areas that differed from what was seen in the wind tunnels, thus reinforcing the need for flight testing," he said. Some significant aviation milestones occurred during this combined effort by NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC), Hampton, Va., DFRC, and their industry partners. The milestones included the first controlled accelerating flight at Mach 7 under scramjet power; the first air breathing scramjet-powered free flight; and the first successful stage separation at high dynamic pressure of two non-axisymmetric vehicles. The flight also set a new aeronautical speed record. The X- 43A reached more than Mach 7, approximately 5,000 mph. That was faster than any known aircraft powered by an air- breathing engine has ever flown. "We flew very closely to how we predicted we would fly in terms of Mach, dynamic pressure, vehicle angle of attack, vehicle yaw, and vehicle roll," Corpening said. The March 27 flight from DFRC began with NASA's B-52B launch aircraft carrying the X-43A to the test range over the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. A modified Pegasus rocket boosted the X-43A to its test altitude of about 95,000 feet. It separated from the booster and flew freely under its own power. The vehicle landed in the Pacific Ocean at the end of the test. Planning is underway for the next flight this fall at Mach 10, approximately 7,500 mph. LaRC and DFRC conduct the Hyper-X program. ATK GASL in Tullahoma, Tenn., built the vehicle and the engine. Boeing Phantom Works in Huntington Beach, Calif., designed the thermal protection and onboard systems. Orbital Sciences Corp. Chandler, Ariz. built the modified Pegasus rocket booster. |
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This newly-released infrared video, captured by a U.S. Army aircraft tracking the launch, shows the X-43A research vehicle flying away from its Pegasus rocket booster.
A camera mounted on the Pegasus rocket booster shows the X-43A research vehicle separating to perform its scramjet experiment over the Pacific Ocean.
NASA's experimental X-43A hypersonic research aircraft is successfully launched by a Pegasus rocket off the coast of California on March 27. (2min 40sec file)
This extended clip shows the launch of X-43A as seen live through completion of the scramjet propulsion test. (3min 11sec file)
Mission officials hold a post-launch press briefing to announce results of the X-43A flight on March 27. (30min 05sec file)
This animation shows a Pegasus rocket booster launching NASA's X-43A experimental air-breathing scramjet vehicle. (QuickTime file)