October 26, 1965

MEMORANDUM for Chief, Research Division X-15 Project Office

Subject: Preliminary evaluation of X-15 flight 1-59-98

Flight 1-59-98 was flown on September 22, 1965, by Lt. Col. R. Rushworth. The launch lake was Delamar and the launch heading was 214° magnetic.

The flight had two research purposes, they were:
 

1. I. R. Scanner

2. Tip-Pod Strain Data

Flight Summary

Postlaunch - The profile was good for this flight. The flight profile matched the simulation very well. A maximum velocity of 5,200 ft/sec. and a maximum altitude of 100,000 feet were attained during the flight.

Mission Objectives

The flight was planned and executed for the purpose of continuing the flight evaluation of the IR Scanner and obtaining tip-pod strain data.

This flight was the last of a series of flights with the USAF-RDT IR Scanner. No data were obtained because of a broken wire in the scanner system.

Good data were obtained from the tip-pod strain gage. A review of the internal recordings revealed that the data, although good, could not be used for determining the vibrations in the tip-pod.

Conclusions

The IR Scanner objective was not accomplished because of a broken wire in the experiment. Because of no data obtained during the flight, the scanner will remain onboard during the next X-15 flight which is scheduled for pilot checkout.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Paul L. Chenoweth

Research Division

X-15 Project Engineer