This paper presents an overview of the preparation and execution of the first two flights of the NASA X-43A scramjet flight test project. The project consisted of three flights, two planned for Mach 7 and one for Mach 10. The first flight, conducted on June 2, 2001, was unsuccessful and resulted in a nine-month mishap investigation. A two-year return to flight effort ensued and concluded when the second Mach 7 flight was successfully conducted on March 27, 2004. The challenges faced by the project team as they prepared the first ever scramjet-powered airplane for flight are presented. Modifications made to the second flight vehicle as a result of the first flight failure and the return to flight activities are discussed. Flight results and lessons learned are also presented.


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    Title :

    A Chief Engineer's View of the NASA X-43A Scramjet Flight Test


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AIAA/CIRA 13th International Space Planes and Hypersonics Systems and Technologies Conference ; 2005 ; Capus, Italy


    Publication date :

    2005-01-01


    Type of media :

    Preprint


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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