X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT



FLIGHT NO: 2-28-48 DATE OF REPORT: August 31, 1962

PILOT: Major Rushworth DATE OF FLIGHT: August 29, 1962

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #008 LAUNCH LAKE: Hidden Hills

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

A. As a result of the igniter explosion in engine S/N 111 (Flight 2-27) that engine was replaced with S/N 110. The He and lox system in the X-15 were checked for contamination and nothing significant was discovered. Since the explosion appears to have started simultaneously with a He purge, that system was a prime suspect. Filters were checked for presence of hydrocarbon contamination using ultra violet light. The He system was also checked for bleed back from the NH3 tank. All tests indicated that the X-15 was clean.

B. The radio communication failure which occurred on the last flight was caused by a failure in the X-15 receiver which reduced its sensitivity to long range signal.

C. Engine S/N 110 which had previously shown erratic pump operation when installed in X-15-2 (approximately 1 month ago) did not show this symptom upon reinstallation for this flight, in spite of the fact that no changes were made in the engine. It must be concluded, therefore, that the pump oscillations were caused by an intermittent leak in the H202 swing spout in the X-15.

 II. Aircraft Configuration Changes A. The modified cut-away windshield retainer was installed on the RH side. III. Instrumentation Configuration Changes A. Installed direct reading gage in cockpit to record canopy seal press.

B. Installed transducers in LN2 supply line and N2 supply line to mixing chambers to study oscillation effects.

C. Installed high range X-ducer in 2nd stage pressure line to obtain data and 2nd stage pressure spikes.

D. Reactivated engine vibration recording on F/M TM.

 IV. Pre Flight Events A. The LH windshield temperature sensor failed open (intermittently) following close-out. Repair of the platinum element is not feasible at NASA-FRC. Usable data was not obtained from this channel on this flight. V. Flight Events A. Intermittent roll SAS failures occurred during pilot initiated yaw channel trip outs.

B. Chase aircraft reported that the upper speed brakes appeared to be fluttering slightly during descent at about the same time the pilot reported some buffeting. Inspection of a11 linkage joints and related structure will be made to see if excessive slop exists.

C. Except as noted above system operation was normal. The ventral was recovered and is reusable.

 Approve By: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row William P. Albrecht

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer