X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT



FLIGHT NO: 1-59-98 DATE OF REPORT: 10/13/65

PILOT: Lt/Col Rushworth DATE OF FLIGHT: 9/22/65

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Delamar

ENGINE SERIAL: 108 APU #1 16 APU #2 20

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: 1. I. R. Scanner (HRB Singer)

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

A. None II. Aircraft Configuration Change A. An Endevco accelerometer was mounted in the LH wing pod nose cone to monitor aircraft vibration during the subsonic buffet periods.

B. Two brittle materials, Sauerisen cermanic cement and an epoxy cement, were placed on the MLG uplock roller bracket to evaluate relative movement between the roller retaining bracket and the strut tab attachment. Four NAS-1200 rivets are used for attachment.

III. Preflight Events A. The alpha indicator which exhibited sticky operation during the previous flight continued to malfunction during post flight ground checks and was replaced.

B. The SAS electronics case was replaced because of differing pitch-roll servo rates with low gyro rate output.

C. Satisfactory APU load check runs were accomplished on 9/13/65.

D. A normal preflight was accomplished in the HRB Singer IR Scanner on 9/14/65.

E. The aircraft was mated on 9/16/65. A mated vehicle natural frequency determination was made for M-2 studies. The natural frequencies were 4.15 cps in yaw, 4.45 cps in pitch and indeterminate in the longitudinal axis.

F. Weather canceled a flight attempt on 9/17/65. Engine preflight functionals were accomplished and the IR Scanner neon dewar was reevacuated in preparation for 9/20/65.

G. A malfunction of the cockpit pressure regulator caused a cancellation on 9/21/65. The regulator was stuck closed and 3.7 psig was required to break the regulator free. The regulator was replaced and a cockpit pressure check was accomplished.

IV. Flight Events A. The cockpit pressure regulator was cycled prior to taxi to demonstrate proper operation.

B. The pilot again reported a periodic sinking response after engine burnout. Evaluation of data indicated exact correlation of the vertical acceleration with lox tank venting and a corresponding SAS correction to the pitch-down input.

C. The IR Scanner camera motor speed control voltage conductor opened at 5 minutes to launch, resulting in an inoperative camera and loss of all IR data.
 
 
 
 

Approved by: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row Ronald S. Waite

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer