NASA Lifting Body

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NASA Lifting Body

HL-10 Lifting Body - HL-10 Lifting Body with B-52 and Test Pilot Dana

Credit: NASA. 23,185 bytes. 412 x 302 pixels.

Program: NASA Lifting Body. Objective: Manned. Type: Spaceplane.

NASA's Ames Research Center and Langley had promoted the idea of 'lifting bodies', rounded half-cones, for use as manned recoverable spacecraft. These provided lift for maneuver and recovery at an airfield after re-entry from orbit. The original M2-F1 was a plywood glider towed from pickup trucks and C-47 transports as part of an 'in house' NASA Edwards project in 1963. Results were encouraging, and NASA contracted Northrop to build, at cut-rate prices, two rocket-powered lifting bodies that would be air-dropped from a B-52 bomber to explore the handling qualities of the two competing configurations. The M2-F2 was a 'flying bathtub' with a rounded belly / flat top layout. The M2-F2 crashed on 10 May 1967, seriously injuring the test pilot (the footage became familiar to millions when it was used in the opening credits of the television series 'The Six Million Dollar Man'). The crashed M2-F2 was rebuilt as the M2-F3 with enlarged vertical stabilizers. Maximum speed achieved was Mach 1.6, top altitude 21,800 m. The final X-30 National Aerospace Plane configuration seemed to owe much to the M2.

The HL-10, with a flat bottom and rounded dorsal body, was the favored lifting body configuration of NASA Langley. It reached Mach 1.86 and 27,700 m during its flight test. This configuration was found to be the best of the lifting bodies, and it was used in several of the orbiter proposals in NASA's Phase A and Phase B shuttle design studies. It is also very similar to the winning X-33 configuration proposed by the Lockheed. Purportedly an unmanned test vehicle of this design was tested at orbital speeds by the US Air Force in a black Lockheed Skunk Work's project, possibly on two Titan 3B / Agena D launches in 1972. Major Events: .

02 July 1966 M2 Flight 1 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
First flight M2-F2. Maximum Speed - 727 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 217 sec.
09 July 1966 M2 Flight 2 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 634 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 245sec.
12 August 1966 M2 Flight 3 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 656 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 278 sec.
24 August 1966 M2 Flight 4 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 718 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 241 sec.
02 September 1966 M2 Flight 5 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
M2F2 Lifting Body - M2F2 Lifting Body with F-104 Chase Plane
Credit: NASA. 14,475 bytes. 381 x 204 pixels.
Maximum Speed - 750 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 226sec.
16 September 1966 M2 Flight 6 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
360 degree approach. Maximum Speed - 750 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 210 sec.
20 September 1966 M2 Flight 7 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 677 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 211 sec.
22 September 1966 M2 Flight 8 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 702 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 233 sec.
28 September 1966 M2 Flight 9 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 713 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 233 sec.
05 October 1966 M2 Flight 10 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 713 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 225 sec.
12 October 1966 M2 Flight 11 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 692 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 234 sec.

26 October 1966 M2 Flight 12 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details

HL-10 - Three view of the HL-10, the favored lifting body configuration of NASA's Langley. This configuration was found to be the best of the lifting bodies.

Credit: © Mark Wade. 4,352 bytes. 701 x 455 pixels.

Maximum Speed - 702 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 227 sec.

14 November 1966 M2 Flight 13 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 642 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 261 sec.
21 November 1966 M2 Flight 14 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 716 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 230 sec.
22 December 1966 HL-10 Flight 1 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
First flight HL-10. Maximum Speed - 735 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 187 sec.
02 May 1967 M2 Flight 15 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Maximum Speed - 661 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 231 sec.
10 May 1967 M2 Flight 16 Spacecraft: M2-F2. More details
Landing accident. Maximum Speed - 648 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 223 sec.
15 March 1968 HL-10 Flight 2 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 684 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 243 sec.
03 April 1968 HL-10 Flight 3 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
HL-10 Lifting Body
Credit: NASA. 14,052 bytes. 366 x 222 pixels.
Maximum Speed - 732 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 242 sec.
25 April 1968 HL-10 Flight 4 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 739 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 258 sec.
03 May 1968 HL-10 Flight 5 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 732 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 245 sec.
16 May 1968 HL-10 Flight 6 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 719 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 265 sec.
28 May 1968 HL-10 Flight 7 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 698 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 245 sec.
11 June 1968 HL-10 Flight 8 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 697 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 246 sec.
21 June 1968 HL-10 Flight 9 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 681 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 271 sec.
24 September 1968 HL-10 Flight 10 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
XLR-11 engine installed. Maximum Speed - 722 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 245 sec.
M2-F3
Credit: © Mark Wade. 3,169 bytes. 679 x 348 pixels.
03 October 1968 HL-10 Flight 11 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 758 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 243 sec.
23 October 1968 HL-10 Flight 12 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
First powered flight. Premature shutdown. Maximum Speed - 722 kph. Maximum Altitude - 12100 m. Flight Time - 189 sec.
13 November 1968 HL-10 Flight 13 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
2 chambers, 186-sec powered flight. Maximum Speed - 843 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13000 m. Flight Time - 385 sec.
09 December 1968 HL-10 Flight 14 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
2 chambers. Maximum Speed - 872 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14450 m. Flight Time - 394 sec.
17 April 1969 HL-10 Flight 15 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
3 chambers. Maximum Speed - 973 kph. Maximum Altitude - 16070 m. Flight Time - 400 sec.
25 April 1969 HL-10 Flight 16 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Glide. Maximum Speed - 743 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 252 sec.
09 May 1969 HL-10 Flight 17 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
M2F3 Lifting Body - M2F3 Lifting Body Launch from B-52
Credit: NASA. 15,023 bytes. 452 x 239 pixels.
3 chambers, first supersonic. Maximum Speed - 1197 kph. Maximum Altitude - 16250 m. Flight Time - 410 sec.
20 May 1969 HL-10 Flight 18 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 959 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14970 m. Flight Time - 414 sec.
28 May 1969 HL-10 Flight 19 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
2 chambers. Maximum Speed - 1311 kph. Maximum Altitude - 18960 m. Flight Time - 398 sec.
06 June 1969 HL-10 Flight 20 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Glide. Maximum Speed - 1483 kph. Maximum Altitude - 19540 m. Flight Time - 231 sec.
19 June 1969 HL-10 Flight 21 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
2 chambers. Maximum Speed - 1483 kph. Maximum Altitude - 19540 m. Flight Time - 378 sec.
23 June 1969 HL-10 Flight 22 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
2 chambers. Maximum Speed - 1350 kph. Maximum Altitude - 19450 m. Flight Time - 373 sec.
06 August 1969 HL-10 Flight 23 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
First 4-chambered flight. Maximum Speed - 1641 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23190 m. Flight Time - 372 sec.
03 September 1969 HL-10 Flight 24 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Lifting Bodies - Manned Lifting Bodies
Credit: NASA. 11,596 bytes. 467 x 127 pixels.
4 chambers. Maximum Speed - 1541 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23760 m. Flight Time - 414 sec.
18 September 1969 HL-10 Flight 25 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
4 chambers. Maximum Speed - 1340 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24140 m. Flight Time - 426 sec.
30 September 1969 HL-10 Flight 26 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
2 chambers. Maximum Speed - 780 kph. Maximum Altitude - 16380 m. Flight Time - 436 sec.
27 October 1969 HL-10 Flight 27 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 1675 kph. Maximum Altitude - 18470 m. Flight Time - 417 sec.
03 November 1969 HL-10 Flight 28 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 1482kph. Maximum Altitude - 19540 m. Flight Time - 439 sec.
17 November 1969 HL-10 Flight 29 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 1693 kph. Maximum Altitude - 19690 m. Flight Time - 408 sec.
21 November 1969 HL-10 Flight 30 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 1532 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24160 m. Flight Time - 378 sec.

12 December 1969 HL-10 Flight 31 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details

M2F1 Lifting Body - The M2-F1 was the first lifting body configuration tested. This glider was made from plywood. It was later succeeded by the M2-F2 metal version.

Credit: NASA. 6,086 bytes. 211 x 141 pixels.

Maximum Speed - 1401 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24370 m. Flight Time - 428 sec.

19 January 1970 HL-10 Flight 32 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 1398 kph. Maximum Altitude - 26410 m. Flight Time - 410 sec.
26 January 1970 HL-10 Flight 33 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 1443 kph. Maximum Altitude - 26730 m. Flight Time - 411 sec.
18 February 1970 HL-10 Flight 34 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum speed. Maximum Speed - 1976 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20520 m. Flight Time - 380 sec.
27 February 1970 HL-10 Flight 35 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum altitude. Maximum Speed - 1400 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27524 m. Flight Time - 416 sec.
02 June 1970 M2 Flight 17 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
First M2-F3 flight. Maximum Speed - 755 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 218 sec.
11 June 1970 HL-10 Flight 36 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Glide landing study. Maximum Speed - 809 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 202 sec.
17 July 1970 HL-10 Flight 37 Spacecraft: HL-10. More details
Maximum Speed - 803 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 252 sec.
21 July 1970 M2 Flight 18 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 708 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 228 sec.
02 November 1970 M2 Flight 19 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 690 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 236 sec.
25 November 1970 M2 Flight 20 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
First powered flight. Maximum Speed - 859 kph. Maximum Altitude - 15819 m. Flight Time - 377 sec.
09 February 1971 M2 Flight 21 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 755 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 241 sec.
26 February 1971 M2 Flight 22 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 821 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 348 sec.
23 July 1971 M2 Flight 23 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 788 kph. Maximum Altitude - 18440 m. Flight Time - 353 sec.
09 August 1971 M2 Flight 24 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1035 kph. Maximum Altitude - 18898 m. Flight Time - 415 sec.
25 August 1971 M2 Flight 25 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
First M2-F3 supersonic flight. Maximum Speed - 1163 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20513 m. Flight Time - 390 sec.
24 September 1971 M2 Flight 26 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 772 kph. Maximum Altitude - 12802 m. Flight Time - 210 sec.
15 November 1971 M2 Flight 27 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Glide flight. Maximum Speed - 784 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13716 m. Flight Time - 215 sec.
01 December 1971 M2 Flight 28 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1356 kph. Maximum Altitude - 21580 m. Flight Time - 391 sec.
16 December 1971 M2 Flight 29 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 861 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14265 m. Flight Time - 451 sec.
25 July 1972 M2 Flight 30 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1049 kph. Maximum Altitude - 18562 m. Flight Time - 420 sec.
11 August 1972 M2 Flight 31 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1168 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20480 m. Flight Time - 375 sec.
24 August 1972 M2 Flight 32 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1344 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20330 m. Flight Time - 376 sec.
12 September 1972 M2 Flight 33 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 935 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14020 m. Flight Time - 387 sec.
27 September 1972 M2 Flight 34 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1424 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20330 m. Flight Time - 366.5 sec.
05 October 1972 M2 Flight 35 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1455 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20210 m. Flight Time - 376 sec.
19 October 1972 M2 Flight 36 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 961 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14360 m. Flight Time - 359 sec.
01 November 1972 M2 Flight 37 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1292 kph. Maximum Altitude - 21730 m. Flight Time - 378 sec.
09 November 1972 M2 Flight 38 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 961 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14260 m. Flight Time - 364 sec.
21 November 1972 M2 Flight 39 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1524 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20330 m. Flight Time - 377 sec.
29 November 1972 M2 Flight 40 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1432 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20570 m. Flight Time - 357 sec.
06 December 1972 M2 Flight 41 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Maximum Speed - 1265 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20820 m. Flight Time - 332 sec.
13 December 1972 M2 Flight 42 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Fastest M2-F3 flight. Maximum Speed - 1712 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20330 m. Flight Time - 383 sec.
21 December 1972 M2 Flight 43 Spacecraft: M2-F3. More details
Last M2-F3 flight, also highest. Maximum Speed - 1377 kph. Maximum Altitude - 21790 m. Flight Time - 390 sec.

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Last update 12 March 2001.
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© Mark Wade, 2001 .