X-15 OPERATIONS FLIGHT REPORT

FLIGHT NO: 3-21-32 DATE OF REPORT: August 23, 1963

PILOT: Joseph A. Walker DATE OF FLIGHT: July 19, 1963

CARRIER AIRCRAFT: B-52 #008 LAUNCH LAKE: Smith Ranch

PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: Expansion of Ventral-Off Reentry Investigation

Towed Balloon Experiment, Horizon Scanner, Photometer

I.R. and U. V. Experiments

I. Discussion of Previous Operations

A. On previous flights with engine S/N 110, various engine parameters were not recorded due to freezing in the sense lines to the pressure transducers. Attempts to alleviate this problem by installing heaters on the lines or removing traps by rerouting the lines were of no avail. However, the engine was changed for this flight and no freezing was experienced with engine S/N 111. II. Aircraft Configuration Changes A. Brackets were installed in tail-cone experiment housing to allow installation of a towed balloon experiment.

B. The Mercury balloon experiment was installed for flight.

C. An alternate purge system regulator and assorted plumbing was installed to allow the airplane to accept an engine with the alternate purge system. This system will eliminate the second-stage igniter detonation, therefore, fuel-exhaustion shutdowns are now possible.

 III. Instrumentation Configuration Changes A. Wiring installed and checked out for controlling release of Mercury balloon.

B. Three manometers removed for rework during altitude flights.

 IV. Preflight Events A. Engine S/N 111 was installed with the new alternate purge system and a satisfactory engine run was performed on July 12, 1963.

B. After engine run and during jettison of unused propellants, the lox tank regulator went to relief pressure. The lox tank regulator was replaced and checked out OK during mated preflight jettison checks.

 V. Flight Events A. A higher altitude (348,000') than called for on the flight request (315,000') was experienced due to a combination of events. (1) the engine developed approximately 1000 pounds more thrust for approximately one second longer than was predicted. (2) the pilot was informed that he was low on profile at the time when a change in angle of attack would change the flight profile the most.

B. After drop and initiation of timer squibs for balloon deployment, a short occurred in the squib which caused loss of all power to the instrumentation in the tail cone, experiment housing, plus the photometer and cockpit camera.
 

 Approved By: Prepared by:

Perry V. Row John G. McTigue

X-15 Senior Project Engineer X-15 Project Engineer