Search

The NASA early experimental program for parawing and lifting body spacecraft recovery concepts is discussed. Simple hand drawings, in-house construction, and crude drop tests were used in lieu of a thorough stress analysis. The parawing (parasev) was controlled by manually shifting the center of gravity with respect to the center of pressure; the craft would take off while being towed at 40 KIAS. The M-2 lifting body was originally constructed with a 3/32 in. mahogany skin by a glider manufacturer and employed general aviation aircraft nose and main wheel assemblies. A minimum altitude of 200 ft was found acceptable for release of the parasev, allowing the pilot time to adjust for transients incurred at the tow release. A small landing assist rocket was furnished for the M-2/F-2 and X-24A lifting bodies to enhance stability, and landings at a maximum lift/drag ratio of 2.8 were successfully completed. The data gained were eventually applied in the development of the Shuttle.

Instrumentation and drop testing techniques for investigating flight vehicle and personnel protective systems

HL-10 and M-2F2 lifting body flight tests

Lifting body flight test program applications in manned space shuttle

Flight test experience with adaptive control systems

Lifting entry vehicles night landing flight simulation by night approaches and landings of piloted fighter aircraft with low L/D ratio

Reentry control requirements during terminal glide, approach, and landing

Manned lifting body flight test program, noting NASA M2-F2 and HL-10 and USAF SV-5P

Joint NASA-USAF lifting body flight test program and M2/F2, HL-10 and SV-5P research vehicles

X-15 flight problems not encountered during simulation, particularly differences in aerodynamics, control systems, cockpit equipment, etc

Aerospace medical and bioengineering considerations in M-2 lifting body research vehicle, discussing protective equipment, escape and medical monitoring systems

Pilot performance requirements in lifting body and reentry vehicles in hypersonic and subsonic flights

Operational flight research tests on advanced manned research vehicles, parasev and m-2

Flight tests of unpowered, manned paragliders