US Lifting Bodies Studies - START (ASSET/PRIME), FDL, X-24, etc.

[Dew]

FDL-7MC-MSTV, July '67 :

 

[Dynoman]

Awesome! It looks almost like an XRL11 rocket motor. If thats the case then possibly designed to power a boost glide tests similar to NASA's lifting body program. Any additional information?

 

[Dew]

Awesome! It looks almost like an XRL11 rocket motor. If thats the case then possibly designed to power a boost glide tests similar to NASA's lifting body program. Any additional information?

The original image isn't of sufficient quality to clearly read the leader relevant text unfortunately (although some are clear enough to make a good guess). It is shown with an F-4 canopy with fairing, "scissors wing (stored)" with pivot just behind the "ejector seat rails", above the "oxidiizer tank"

 

[Empire]

Speculative full size BOR.

 

[publiusr]

That from the German magazine...with Energia having engines, you could have different type orbiters without the SSMEs ruining the aerodynamics. Each orbiter having different payload bay shapes. I wonder if this giant lifting body could be launched empty...filled like Lunar Starship, but deposit a light inflatable lander...shades of Homer's Back To The Moon novel. The high volume of a lifting body of this size could have many uses. Maybe an oxidizer filled orbiter with SSMEs and an all hydrogen External Tank with the payload atop that...using the ET as a wet stage space station segment...that might be a project for you. Thank you for this outstanding bit of art. Here is an idea: Do an American Energia with a jet equipped FOR ALL MANKIND type Pathfinder-Buran with Blue Origin regalia.

 

[Dew]

October 1967 drawing of Douglas M218 (wind tunnel presumably?) Model:

 

[Jcking]

A evolution of the Lockheed LS-200 Delta Body

 

[VTOLicious]

High resolution vid...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1466247644930445312

View: https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1466247644930445312?t=zSRPjARHpKW9X95OjCokqQ&s=19

 

[Dew]

(New to me) picture of FDL-7 model showing (fold-out?) podded turbo-jets



seemingly front cover of 1991, 1999 editions of

Fundamentos de ingeniería : métodos, conceptos y resultados / Edward V. Krick​

Por: Krick, Edward V
Tipo de material: TextoDatos de Publicación: México : Editorial Limusa, 1999

 

[Orionblamblam]

(New to me) picture of FDL-7 model showing (fold-out?) podded turbo-jets

Given the size and location of the cockpit canopy, this would seem to be a pretty big vehicle, likely Shuttle-scale in capability.

 

[publiusr]

The exhaust stream just above the wings to help increase the lift..

 

[Dew]

(New to me) picture of FDL-7 model showing (fold-out?) podded turbo-jets

Given the size and location of the cockpit canopy, this would seem to be a pretty big vehicle, likely Shuttle-scale in capability.

Appears to be perhaps the same model as appeared in June 22 1970 edition of AW&ST except for the external propulsion pods. There appears to be an upper removable section from cockpit area to mid-fuselage to allow reconfiguration.

 

[curtisscholl]

(New to me) picture of FDL-7 model showing (fold-out?) podded turbo-jets

Given the size and location of the cockpit canopy, this would seem to be a pretty big vehicle, likely Shuttle-scale in capability.

Appears to be perhaps the same model as appeared in June 22 1970 edition of AW&ST except for the external propulsion pods. There appears to be an upper removable section from cockpit area to mid-fuselage to allow reconfiguration.

View attachment 669351

Correct me if I am wrong, but this looks like the precursor model to the final Model 176 configuration, the Model 176 wind tunnel model had a cockpit area in the same general location on a spatulate nose and flat upper surfaces, rather than the laterally curved shape, that follows generally the shape of this particular model. McDonnell influence...

 

[Nik]

Given the size and location of the cockpit canopy,

Perhaps contrarian, but could it be a 'periscope' arrangement ??

 

[greenmartian2017]

Not 250 files for sure, but an amazing online resource for everything related to the X-24C, HYFAC and L-301 programs at NASA's CRGIS website.

We've only just dug up the surface...

• HYFAC Subsonic Test
  
• NASA-TM-X-1922
  
• NASA-TN-D-5932
  
• HRA Drawing and Data
  
• FDL-8H and X-24C
  
• 12 Foot L.S. Tunnel
  
• Propul. 225
  
• HRA Free Flight Tunnel Test
  
• Hypersonic Research Vehicles
  
• Aero Info
  
• HYFAC Model Drawings
  
• Test Logs Basic HYFAC
  
• X-24C 12-I
  
• NASA Flight Experiments X-24C Final Briefing
  
• X-24C 12I and L-301
  
• X-24C-12I Model
  
• L-301 Plotted Data Long. Lat.
  
• Experiments Impact on X-24C Flight Research Vehicle
  
• X-24C Full Scale
  
• X-24C 12I
  
• X-24C-12I Data M=6
  
• M=6 20" Tunnel Test
  
• Subsonic LTPT Test X24C-12I
  
• X24C-12I Drawings
  
• L-301
  
• LRC Wind Tunnels "Test Info"
  
• X-24 Model Drawing
  
• Boat Tailed 12I Data
  
• X-24C-12I and X-1
  
• Low Speed Wind Tunnel X-24 test
  
• X-24C-L-16
  
• Scramjet Drag
  
• L301 Model
  
• X-24C Catch 2x File
  
• Penland's X-24C-12I Aero Work-up 10/76
  
• NHFRF Study Configurations
  
• L-301 in UPWT
  
• L-301 Model Pictures and Reports
  
• X-24 Drawings
  
• L-301 in M=6 20" Tunnel
  
• Lockheed X-24C (L-301)
  
• HYFAC Sketches
  
• L-301 in 8' TPT
  
• L-301 Calculations and LTPT Data
  
• L-301 in LTPT
  
• X-24 Test Log and X-24 Technical Paper
  
• Original Penland Paper Drafts
  
• Computer Drawings

Stargazer, all these links are in operable. If someone has active links or can supply the following: "L-301 Model Pictures and Reports" that would be helpful to me. Thanks!

 

[Archibald]

Stargazer, all these links are in operable. If someone has active links or can supply the following: "L-301 Model Pictures and Reports" that would be helpful to me. Thanks!

We have to call the "Internet archive" to the rescue, once again...

EDIT: no need, the first two at least seems to be on the NTRS.

The links are dead, but the documents can be found again on NTRS.

So I cut and pasted the "titles" into the attached txt file. It just a matter of copying the document title on google, and it brings you to the NTRS.

No solution so far for the pictures...

Will do better later...

 

[flateric]

that's what I could save then
looking for missing docs

NASA CRGIS hypersonic research vehicles

Посмотреть и скачать с Яндекс.Диска

disk.yandex.ru

 

[Dew]

Anyone got a clue as to what this is? It appeared in a 60's comic Space news section.

Chiz,
Barry

A section of this has been posted previously in the thread, but here is the full page as it's mostly relevant:
(TV Century 21 #105 released by City Magazines Ltd, January 21, 1967)

..and again from Air Force Magazine / Space Digest January 1969 article :

The Ultimate in Hypersonic Flight - The Aerospace Plane
by Edgar E. Ulsamer



bonus Lockheed "scaled hypervelocity vehicle configuration" from same article :

 

[Dew]

What appears to be PEN00010_0493 (58 pages) has been uploaded to here containing WHRA-5-2 windtunnel stuff and those oh-so-annoying corner only scans of large sheets. It does have some partial images though.
Anybody manage to get a copy? The 'service' it is on requires a paid sign-up to download a PDF. Any ideas?

 

[Orionblamblam]

What appears to be PEN00010_0493 (58 pages) has been uploaded to here containing WHRA-5-2 windtunnel stuff and those oh-so-annoying corner only scans of large sheets.

Fun fact: some years ago I spoke to pone of the people respinsible for that collection. Turns out they set the scanning task to interns, who only scanned the corners. "Well, that sucks," sez I. "How can I go about persuading someone to revisit them? I'd be happy to pay for large format scans of the whole sheet."

"After the scanning was completed, the physical archive was destroyed."

So, yup, those corners? That's all there is. That's all there will ever be.

 

[Dew]

That's all there will ever be.

*cries-in-historical-decimation*

edit: incidentally was the image you'd posted here from a Penland file?
Also the link I'd posted above makes mention of a 5-3 variation - do you know the distinction?

 

[Orionblamblam]

That's all there will ever be.

*cries-in-historical-decimation*

Welcome to the reality of life, where even Lovecraft was generally a tad too optimistic.

edit: incidentally was the image you'd posted here from a Penland file?

Yup. Don't recall which file offhand, though.

Also the link I'd posted above makes mention of a 5-3 variation - do you know the distinction?

Again, not offhand.

 

[Dew]

Welcome to the reality of life, where even Lovecraft was generally a tad too optimistic.

edit: incidentally was the image you'd posted here from a Penland file?

Yup. Don't recall which file offhand, though.

Also the link I'd posted above makes mention of a 5-3 variation - do you know the distinction?

Again, not offhand.

Thank you

 

[Dynoman]

FDL-7MC-MSTV, July '67 :

Is there any information that this vehicle was associated with the MERV (Manueverable Entry Research Vehicle) program? I have a drawing of a variant of the MERV considered in a study as an ISS crew rescue vehicle. MERV was supposed to be a USAF proram that could have potentially followed the X-24B for the USAF's investigations into aeromechanics, flight controls, TPS, etc (beyond X-24C). However, after a search on the SPF I haven't found any program information on MERV here. Also, not sure where it fits into the TAV story, if at all.

After some additional searching it may be a manned variant of MRRV. If so, possibly late 1970s-early 1980s. I post the drawing.

 

[bobbymike]

Anyone got a clue as to what this is? It appeared in a 60's comic Space news section.

Chiz,
Barry

A section of this has been posted previously in the thread, but here is the full page as it's mostly relevant:
(TV Century 21 #105 released by City Magazines Ltd, January 21, 1967)

..and again from Air Force Magazine / Space Digest January 1969 article :

The Ultimate in Hypersonic Flight - The Aerospace Plane
by Edgar E. Ulsamer

View attachment 672753

bonus Lockheed "scaled hypervelocity vehicle configuration" from same article :

View attachment 672752

53 years ago over half a century

 

[Dynoman]

MERV as applied to ISS. Possibly affiliated with MRRV https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...v-maneuvering-re-entry-research-vehicle.1501/

 

[hesham]

From the same report,

what is this ?.

 

[flateric]

Just like caption says. NHFRF.

 

[hesham]

Just like caption says. NHFRF.

I know that,but carrying and launch a missile ?!.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Just like caption says. NHFRF.

I know that,but carrying and launch a missile ?!.

Test vehicle, including testing hypersonic stores release. Not an operational military craft.

 

[hesham]

Test vehicle, including testing hypersonic stores release. Not an operational military craft.

That was not my point,why did they study and test a missile on a craft,not qualified for this purpose from beginning ?.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Test vehicle, including testing hypersonic stores release. Not an operational military craft.

That was not my point,why did they study and test a missile on a craft,not qualified for this purpose from beginning ?.

Because if you want to have a Mach 6 interceptor, you need to test Mach 6 missile launching. And if you already have a Mach 6 test aircraft that has swappable compartments and *can* be turned into a Mach 6 missile launcher, it would be entirely sensible to use that test aircraft for that purpose. It's no ,more unusual than using your mach 6 test aircraft to demonstrate components or technologies for, say, a Mach 6 passenger transport.

 

[Yellow Palace]

Because if you want to have a Mach 6 interceptor, you need to test Mach 6 missile launching. And if you already have a Mach 6 test aircraft that has swappable compartments and *can* be turned into a Mach 6 missile launcher, it would be entirely sensible to use that test aircraft for that purpose. It's no ,more unusual than using your mach 6 test aircraft to demonstrate components or technologies for, say, a Mach 6 passenger transport.

Moreover, it would be eminently sensible to test how launching missiles at Mach 6 works before you build a Mach 6 interceptor. Building the interceptor first then discovering it can't launch missiles because you didn't fully understand the issues would be rather unfortunate.

 

[nivek626]

MERV as applied to ISS. Possibly affiliated with MRRV https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...v-maneuvering-re-entry-research-vehicle.1501/

I wonder what type of TPS the MERV used?

 

[Orionblamblam]

MERV as applied to ISS.

What's the source on that? Might be this, but all I get are error messages:

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA179233.pdf

 

[TomS]

Does Stratolaunch live here ??

Stratolaunch unveils new test aircraft for hypersonic flight program

Back in 2020 we first heard about the Talon-A hypersonic aircraft, which would be released from the world's largest airplane at an altitude of 35,000 ft (10,000 m). A test version of the Talon-A, called the TA-0, was unveiled this week.

newatlas.com

The Future of Hypersonic Testing

Stratolaunch drives innovation critical to advancing hypersonic technologies.

www.stratolaunch.com

It has its own thread here:

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/stratolaunch.32418/

 

[Nik]

I'll delete mine...

 

[Dynoman]

MERV as applied to ISS.

What's the source on that? Might be this, but all I get are error messages:

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA179233.pdf

The paper was titled A Systems Analysis of Emergency Escape and Recovery Systems for the U.S. Space Station by Kelly (1986). Try this link (it looks like the same one but worked for me):

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA179233.pdf

 

[Nigelhg]

MERV as applied to ISS.

What's the source on that? Might be this, but all I get are error messages:

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA179233.pdf

Link now seems to be working

 

[Orionblamblam]

Woo. recent crowdfunded buy off ebay: