FLIGHT NO: 3-8-16 DATE OF REPORT: August 9, 1962
PILOT: J. A. Walker DATE OF FLIGHT: August 2, 1962
CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #003 LAUNCH LAKE: Mud Lake
I. Discussion of Previous Operations
B. The flight attempt on 8/10/62 resulted in abort when the #1 BCS valve failed to operate to the ON position. The valve was replaced.
C. Helium source drop-off in the #2 APU system was noted during the aborted flight. After landing two additional helium leaks were discovered, one small leak at the source pressure transmitter inlet and another at the source tank outlet fitting. Both were repaired for the second flight attempt which was made successfully on Tuesday, 8/14/62.
B. During the "yaw disengaged" portion of reentry, complete failure of roll channel was sustained.
C. Engine main chamber pressure indicated slightly low in the cockpit (550 psi) but internal data showed pressure to be within spec. Both the main chamber and fuel pump inlet pressure indicated high on T/M after engine shutdown apparently due to moisture freeze-up in the sensing lines. The system will be drained and purged.
Perry V. Row John G. McTigue
X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer