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The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus¨ booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus¨ booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft

Photo Number: EC01-0079-1
Photo Date: March 15, 2001

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Description: The first of three X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus¨ booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ("scramjet") engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound). The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster was built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va.,After being air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership, the booster will accelerate the X-43A to test speed and altitude. The X-43A will then separate from the rocket and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

NASA Photo by: Tom Tschida

Keywords: X-43; X-43A; Hyper-X; NB-52B; B-52; scramjet; mated; combined systems testing; hypersonic; Pegasus


Last Modified: February 6, 2002
Responsible NASA Official: Marty Curry
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