X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT



FLIGHT NO: 1-80-140 DATE OF REPORT: September 19, l968

PIIOT: Maj. Knight DATE OF FLIGHT: September 13, 1968

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Smith Ranch

ENGINE SERIAL NO: 103 APU #l: 17 APU #2: 3

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: 1. WTR Experiment (20)
 

2. Horizon Scanner (17)

3. Fixed Alpha Cone

4. Fluidic Probe


I. Discussion of Previous Operations

A. This flight was the last flight for the MIT horizon scanner (17). II. Configuration Changes A. Ship Number 2's seat, used for the last two flights during the foot snatcher installation onShip Numbet l's seat, was removed and Ship Number l's seat installed. As the qualification testing has not been accomplished, the foot snatcher system was disconnected and was not utilized.

B. Engine Serial Number 104 was removed due to lube oil contamination with NH3. Serial Number 103 was installed.

C. The ball nose was changed

D. The rudder actuator was changed.

E. Wiring for the Automatics experiment was installed in the right hand wing.

F. The right hand wing pod camera lens was changed trom 5.7 mm to 10 mm with a mirror to view the WTR experiment.

G. The right roll rocket in the left hand wing was changed due to "chugging" of the motor.

H. A roll RAS valve was obtained and the system reactivated.
 
 

 III. Preflight Events A. Engine APU and BCS runs were accomplished on 5 September. BCS runs on Number 1 system were repeated on 9 September after a rocket motor was replaced.

B. Flight scheduled on 12 September was cancelled on 11 September to allow more time to check the seat cg position. The cg position was found to be acceptable and flight was scheduled for 13 September.

C. The aircraft was mated to B-52 #003 on 12 September.

 IV. Flight Events A. Servicing was accomplished on 13 September with no problems.

B. The pilot reported an engine misalignment and the engine timer froze up. The N2 used for purging was found to be out of specification for moisture content.
 
 

 Approved by: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row Vincent Capasso

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer