The Eclipse Project (NASA SP-2000-4523) - Experiments with Unique Rocket Launch Technique Using Rope Aerotow, F-106A, QF-106A, Gordon Fullerton, Tethered Flights

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics, Science, Physics, Astrophysics & Space Science
Cover of the book The Eclipse Project (NASA SP-2000-4523) - Experiments with Unique Rocket Launch Technique Using Rope Aerotow, F-106A, QF-106A, Gordon Fullerton, Tethered Flights by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781476214276
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: July 19, 2012
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781476214276
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: July 19, 2012
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This is the fascinating story of a little-known futuristic research project which investigated a concept brought to the Dryden Flight Research Center by Kelly Space. Kelly hoped to demonstrate a new approach to satellite launching by towing a rocket to altitude behind a transport airplane.

The Eclipse Project by Tom Tucker provides a readable narrative and a number of documents that record an important flight research effort at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Carried out by Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. in partnership with the Air Force and Dryden at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of California, this project tested and gathered data about a potential newer and less expensive way to launch satellites into space. Whether the new technology comes into actual use will depend on funding, market forces, and other factors at least partly beyond the control of the participants in the project. This is a familiar situation in the history of flight research.

Frequently, the results of discoveries through flight research are not implemented immediately after projects are completed. A perfect example of this phenomenon is the lifting-body research done in the 1960s and 1970s that finally lead to new aerodynamic shapes in the world of aviation and space only in the 1990s. Even then, the lifting-body shapes (for the X-33 technology demonstrator and the X-38 prototype crew return vehicle) were only experimental. Other technologies emerging from flight research, such as movable horizontal stabilizers, supercritical wings, winglets, and digital fly-by-wire moved more rapidly into actual use in operational flight vehicles, but it was never crystal clear at the start of a flight research project whether the results would simply inform future practice or would be adopted more or less completely by air- and spacecraft designers.

Regardless of the eventual outcome in the case of the Eclipse Project, it was a unique and interesting experiment that deserves to be recorded. Tom Tucker has told the story in an interesting way that should make the monograph a joy to read. I thank him for his hard work, writing skill, and his flexibility as the monograph went through the coordination process. He was busy with teaching and writing another book; yet he unfailingly responded to my requests for technical changes in the monograph as various participants refined the details of the events surrounding the tow testing of the QF-106 behind its C-141A tow vehicle.

Start Up * The Elements * Names * Subsystems and Worry * Space * The Proof * Eclipse Flight Log * The Eclipse Project * Background * Eclipse Astroliner Concept * Historical Precedents * Aircraft / Weight / Wingloading / Comments * Program Philosophy * Obvious Issues * Pilot Training * EXD Pilot * Eclipse Simulation * EXD Cockpit * Attachment Hardware * C-141 Modifications * Tow Rope * Untethered Tests - C-141 Takeoff * C-141 Takeoff Profile * Tethered Research Objectives * Initial Results * Weak Link Release Procedure * Lessons Learned

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This is the fascinating story of a little-known futuristic research project which investigated a concept brought to the Dryden Flight Research Center by Kelly Space. Kelly hoped to demonstrate a new approach to satellite launching by towing a rocket to altitude behind a transport airplane.

The Eclipse Project by Tom Tucker provides a readable narrative and a number of documents that record an important flight research effort at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. Carried out by Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. in partnership with the Air Force and Dryden at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of California, this project tested and gathered data about a potential newer and less expensive way to launch satellites into space. Whether the new technology comes into actual use will depend on funding, market forces, and other factors at least partly beyond the control of the participants in the project. This is a familiar situation in the history of flight research.

Frequently, the results of discoveries through flight research are not implemented immediately after projects are completed. A perfect example of this phenomenon is the lifting-body research done in the 1960s and 1970s that finally lead to new aerodynamic shapes in the world of aviation and space only in the 1990s. Even then, the lifting-body shapes (for the X-33 technology demonstrator and the X-38 prototype crew return vehicle) were only experimental. Other technologies emerging from flight research, such as movable horizontal stabilizers, supercritical wings, winglets, and digital fly-by-wire moved more rapidly into actual use in operational flight vehicles, but it was never crystal clear at the start of a flight research project whether the results would simply inform future practice or would be adopted more or less completely by air- and spacecraft designers.

Regardless of the eventual outcome in the case of the Eclipse Project, it was a unique and interesting experiment that deserves to be recorded. Tom Tucker has told the story in an interesting way that should make the monograph a joy to read. I thank him for his hard work, writing skill, and his flexibility as the monograph went through the coordination process. He was busy with teaching and writing another book; yet he unfailingly responded to my requests for technical changes in the monograph as various participants refined the details of the events surrounding the tow testing of the QF-106 behind its C-141A tow vehicle.

Start Up * The Elements * Names * Subsystems and Worry * Space * The Proof * Eclipse Flight Log * The Eclipse Project * Background * Eclipse Astroliner Concept * Historical Precedents * Aircraft / Weight / Wingloading / Comments * Program Philosophy * Obvious Issues * Pilot Training * EXD Pilot * Eclipse Simulation * EXD Cockpit * Attachment Hardware * C-141 Modifications * Tow Rope * Untethered Tests - C-141 Takeoff * C-141 Takeoff Profile * Tethered Research Objectives * Initial Results * Weak Link Release Procedure * Lessons Learned

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book America's Civil War 1861 to 1865: Army Military History of the War Between the States from Secession and Fort Sumter to Lee's Surrender at Appomattox by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Marine Rifle Squad Marine Corps Field Manual - FMFM 6-5 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Center of Gravity (COG) Systemically Understood - Clausewitz and Systems Thinking, Napoleon, Battles of Granicus, Issus, and Gaugamela, Jena-Auerstadt 1806, Vietnam War (Cambodia), Desert Storm by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Killing a Peacock: Case Study of the Targeted Killing of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto - World War II Operation Vengeance Against Japanese Pearl Harbor Attack Leader with P-38 Lightnings from Guadalcanal by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Doctrine Document 4-0: Combat Support - Red Horse Units, Readying the Force, Preparing the Battlespace, Agile Combat Support (ACS), Functional Specialties, Contingency Contracting by Progressive Management
Cover of the book FEMA Document Series: Risk Assessment - A How-To Guide To Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings, Providing Protection to People and Buildings, Risk Management Series, FEMA 452 by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The U.S. Air Force's First War: Korea 1950-1953 Significant Events - The Korean War, First All-Jet Air Battle, New Weapons Systems, New Tactics by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Oropharyngeal Cancer - Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Development of Air Doctrine in the Army Air Arm 1917-1941: Hap Arnold, Chennault, Douhet, Mitchell, Foulois, Drum Board, Alexander de Seversky, General Eaker, World War I and II by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Questions and Answers About Swine Flu: 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Influenza - Medical Data with Information on Symptoms, Treatment, Vaccine Safety and Drugs by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Employing Abductive Reasoning to Achieve Understanding: Army's Cognitive Hierarchy Model for Achieving Understanding, PowerPoint Presentations and the Syrian Conflict by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Collapse of Iraq and Syria: The End of the Colonial Construct in the Greater Levant - ISIS, Islamic State, ISIL, Assad, Alawite, Salafi, Nasser, Saddam Hussein, Hashemite, Kurds, Sunni, Shia by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Russia and Arms Control: Are There Opportunities for the Obama Administration? Putin, Lavrov, START and INF Treaty, BMD and Missile Defense, ASATS, Plesetsk, Ukraine, Space Weapons by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Essential Guide to Child Abuse and Missing Children: Law Enforcement and Family Response, Injuries, Illness, Fatalities, STDs and Sexual Abuse, Battered Child Syndrome, Burn Injuries, AMBER Alert by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Thailand in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Society, Security, Religion, Thaksin Shinawatra, Military Coup, Military, U.S.-Thai Relations by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy