September 13, 1965
MEMORANDUM for Chief, Research Division X-15 Project Office
Subject: Preliminary evaluation of X-15 flight 1-57-96
Flight 1-57-96 was flown on August 25, 1965, by Milton 0. Thompson. The launch lake was Delamar and the launch heading was 214° magnetic.
The flight had three
research purposes, they were:
1. MIT Scanner2. Pace Transducer
3. Stability and Control
Flight Summary
Prelaunch - The B-52 outbound track was unprecedented. The winds were not as predicted and the B-52's (003) compass appeared to be abnormally affected by external magnetic force.
Postlaunch - No launch transients were noted. The ground track and profile were good. Shutdown conditions were good. The inertial velocity and altitude were 5,150 feet per second and 136,000 feet, respectively. The peak altitude was 215,000 feet. The roll and yaw RAS functioned quite well during the flight. The inertial system and experiments functioned extremely good throughout the flight.
Experiment Results
1. MIT Scanner:
Good data were obtained by the experimenter on this flight. The photometer functioned as intended, however, the 16 mm camera, which is used in conjunction with the photometer, functioned the first few seconds only. The film was broken and no reason has been found. The camera has been checked and operated without a reoccurrence.
2. Pace Transducer:
Good data were obtained on this flight. The transducer functioned as predicted. No problem was noted with the system.
3. Stability and Control:
Good data were obtained for the speed brakes out and 3,000 feet per second condition. A left and then a right roll was performed with dampers off using about 6° alpha.
Conclusions
Flight 1-57-96 was flown according to plan. The "power on" portion of the flight was as planned except the q vernier was not set at 34°. This resulted in a peak altitude less than planned.
The profile obtained
for the experimenter was good. The altitude and pitch oscillations performed
provided excellent data.
Paul L. Chenoweth
Aerospace Engineer