X-43B - Engine Development and Testing

Contact Info Nate Palumbo Propulsion and Performance 661-276-3324 Nathan.M.Palumbo@nasa.gov

NASA's Hyper-X aircraft series explores the viability of transonic flight using a single, combined engine. The X-43B is the largest of the series and employs a low-speed engine combined with the scramjet. The X-43B was designed to handle up through Mach 7 after being released from a larger craft like the B-52. Purdue University began the ground testing of the combined engine. NASA is interested in an extension of the ground testing and research goals as well as a continuation into flight testing using the F-15B Propulsion Flight Test Fixture (PFTF).

Related Resources

• Video of Airbreathing Rocket Test
  
• Integrated System Test of an Airbreathing Rocket - Rocket Based Combined Cycle Consortium ISTAR Mission exploring a rocket combining the AAR, Ramjet and Scramjet to demonstrate feasibility of the X-43B

Keywords

Aerodynamics; Autonomous air navigation; F-15B flight test fixture; Flight test; Ground test; Hypersonic flight; Hyper-X; Propulsion flight test fixture; Rocket-based combined cycle propulsion; Scramjet; Supersonic flight; X-43

Last Modified: November 8, 2004
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