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