X-15 OPERATIONS
FLIGHT REPORT
FLIGHT NO: 2-48-85 DATE OF REPORT: August 22, 1966
PILOT: Maj. W. Knight DATE OF FLIGHT: August 12, 1966
CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Delamar
ENGINE: S/N 106 APU #1 21 AN APU #2 22AN
PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: (1) Star Tracker Experiment
I. Discussion of Previous Operations
A. Realignment of the rocket engine to a point 1/4"
to the left of its previous location (see report for Flight 2-47-84) appeared
to correct much of the alignment error. Some trim change at burnout was
noted however, and a further correction may be made.
II. Configuration Changes
A. Configuration identical to previous flight.
III. Preflight Events
A. System preflight functional tests were conducted
without incident. No engine ground run was performed for this flight.
IV. Flight Events
A. Flight 2-48-85 was made on Friday. August 12, 1966.
Flight servicing was generally normal except for a leak which developed
in the canopy seal quick disconnect when the canopy was closed. The canopy
was opened to investigate and the disconnect was cycled. After reconnecting
the leakage of N2 stopped. No further trouble was encountered and the flight
proceeded as planned.
B. During the flight, a small amount of yaw trim change
was evident at engine burnout. (See item I, A above).
C. Performance of the Startracker gyro platform was good
and the cameras functioned. No photographic data has been made available
as of this date.
Approved By: Prepared by:
Perry V. Row William P. Albrecht
X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer