X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT

FLIGHT NO: 3-12-22 DATE OF REPORT: December 26, 1962

PILOT: Maj. R. White DATE OF FLIGHT: December 14, 1962

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #008 LAUNCH LAKE: Mud Lake

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: Investigation of Ventral Off Stability

Ultraviolet Spectrometer Checkout

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

None. II. Aircraft Configuration Changes A. Tail cone rework and Barnes spectrometer installed for flight.

B. Installation of a pneumatic accumulator in the emergency SAS hydraulic system to eliminate overspeed shutdown at start of emergency SAS pump.

III. Instrument Configuration Changes A. Wiring circuit for Barnes spectrometer installed.

B. The heading vernier control display installed for flight.

IV. Preflight Events A. Engine #107 was removed due to a damaged shock mount and was replaced by engine #111.

B. During ground run a purge line in the 2nd stage igniter pressure system ruptured. This line was removed and capped to reduce line detonation probability and the ground run was successfully completed on the following day.

C. APU removal - APU S/N 20AN failed during a time duration run.

D. The flight attempt on December 13, 1962 resulted in an abort when a sizable helium leak developed in the cabin source. A relief valve was found to relieve prematurely when chilled. This valve was replaced and flight 3-12-22 resulted on December 14, 1962.

V. Flight Events A. An over-temp warning light for inertial platform came on in the B-52 #008 prior to drop. Since computer and stabilizer exhaust temp looked good the flight was not canceled and the inertial platform performed satisfactorily. A post-flight investigation showed that a blower was installed backwards in the computer.

B. The Barnes spectrometer did not function properly during flight. A post-flight investigation of the unit is being conducted at North American Aviation at Los Angeles, California.

Approved By: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row John G. McTigue

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer