X-15 FLIGHT REQUEST

Flight No.: 2-26-46 Scheduled Date : August 7, 1962

Pilot: Major R. Rushworth

Subject of Test : Aerodynamic heating rates at low Mach number and high angle of attack, RAS check, and aerodynamic drag.

Launch: Hidden Hills Lake on magnetic heading 167°, ASAS "Armed," SAS 8-8-8

No. Time Alt V a q Event

1. 0 45 790 2 145 Launch, light engine, increase to 100%T, rotate until 2g is attained.

2. 21 46 1700 10 600 Maintain 2g until q = 20°.

3. 32 51 2200 4 700 Pushover to g = .1 (a» 2°).

4. 48 59 3000 2 1000 Roll to 80° right bank.

5. 54 64 3500 2 1050 Increase a slowly to 10° (gmax = 4.0).

6. 59 66 3700 4 1120 Reduce to 40%T (or as required).

7. 72 66 3800 10 1250 Modulate speed brakes if required to maintain constant conditions.

8. 98 68 4000 10 1225 Burnout - turn as required to vector to Edwards (maintain a» 10°).

9. 146 83 2600 »8 256 At q = 10°, pushover-pullup to a» 8, 0, 10.

10. 154 84 2500 225 Peak Altitude.

11. 180 81 2200 10 225 Disengage and reengage yaw channel twice (no control inputs).

12. Perform pushover-pullup maneuvers (a» 10, 0, 10) as space positioning permits.

13. Start jettison (H2O2 "OFF").

14. High key, check ventral armed, pressurize tanks, perform pushover-pullup maneuver (a» 10, 0, 10) when at M » 0.8, push-to-test ball nose.

14. Before APU shutdown, cycle controls, retract flaps, set stabilizer trim to zero. Data off.

Notes: 1. Duration of flight approximately 9 min.

2. q vernier will be set at 30°, a crosspointer will null at 10°.

3. Emergency Lakes: Hidden Hills, Silver and Three Sisters.

Ground Rules for "No Launch": 1. Malfunction of any SAS channel.

2. Malfunction of inertial system attitudes.

3. Malfunction of ball nose.

Alternate Situations After Launch: 1. If engine light cannot be accomplished within 30 sec., jettison propellants and land at Hidden Hills.

2. For delayed engine light, add 3 sec. to pushover time.

3. If radar or radio fail, proceed as planned.

4. For total pitch or roll damper failure, do not increase a above 8°.

5. For ball nose or attitude failure, vector to Edwards for landing.

6. For inadvertent engine shutdown:

0 - 35 sec Hidden Hills

35 - 54 sec Silver

54 - 70 sec Three Sisters

70 - Up sec Edwards


1.	0	45	790	2	145	Launch, light engine, increase to 100%T, rotate until 2g is attained.

2.	21	46	1700	10	600	Maintain 2g until q = 20°.

3.	32	51	2200	4	700	Pushover to g = .1 (a» 2°).

4.	48	59	3000	2	1000	Roll to 80° right bank.

5.	54	64	3500	2	1050	Increase a slowly to 10° (gmax = 4.0).

6.	59	66	3700	4	1120	Reduce to 40%T (or as required).

7.	72	66	3800	10	1250	Modulate speed brakes if required to maintain constant conditions.

8.	98	68	4000	10	1225	Burnout - turn as required to vector to Edwards (maintain a» 10°).

9.	146	83	2600	»8	256	At q = 10°, pushover-pullup to a» 8, 0, 10.

10.	154	84	2500		225	Peak Altitude.

11.	180	81	2200	10	225	Disengage and reengage yaw channel twice (no control inputs).