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| Inflatable Wing Deployment Sequence | ||
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| Photo Number: | ED01-0273-1 | |
| Photo Date: | April 25, 2001 | |
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| Formats: | 640x433 JPEG Image (76 KBytes) 1280x867 JPEG Image (440 KBytes) 3000x2033 JPEG Image (3,467 KBytes) |
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| Description: |
The deployable, inflatable wing technology demonstrator aircraft's wings begin deploying following separation from its carrier aircraft during a flight experiment conducted by the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Wing deployment time is typically on the order of a third of a second, almost faster than the human eye can see.
Three successful flights of the I2000 inflatable wing aircraft occurred. During the flights, the team air-launched the radio-controlled (R/C) I2000 from an R/C utility airplane at an altitude of 800-1000 feet. As the I2000 separated from the carrier aircraft, its inflatable wings "popped-out," deploying rapidly via an on-board nitrogen bottle. The aircraft remained stable as it transitioned from wingless to winged flight. The unpowered I2000 glided down to a smooth landing under complete control. |
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| NASA Photo by: | Tom Tschida | |
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| Keywords: | deployable; inflatable wing technology demonstrator aircraft; I2000 | |
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Last Modified: February 6, 2002 |
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