Testing Aircraft, Exploring Space

Testing Aircraft, Exploring Space
Author: Roger E. Bilstein
Publisher: JHU Press
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2003
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780801871580

Selected by Choice Magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2003 The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics—forerunner of today's NASA—emerged in 1915, when airplanes were curiosities made of wood and canvas and held together with yards of baling wire. At the time an unusual example of government intrusion (and foresight, given the importance of aviation to national military concerns), the committee oversaw the development of wind tunnels, metal fabrication, propeller design, and powerful new high-speed aircraft during the 1920s and '30s. In this richly illustrated account, acclaimed historian of aviation Roger E. Bilstein combines the story of NACA and NASA to provide a fresh look at the agencies, the problems they faced, and the hard work as well as inventive genius of the men and women who found the solutions. NACA research during World War II led to critical advances in U.S. fighter and bomber design and, Bilstein explains, contributed to engineering standards for helicopters. After 1945 the agency's test pilots experimented with jet-powered aircraft, testing both human and technical limits in trying to break the so-called "sound barrier." In October 1958, when the launch of the Soviet Sputnik signaled the beginning of the space race, NACA formed the nucleus of the new National Aeronautics and Space Agency. The new agency's efforts to meet President Kennedy's challenge—safely landing a man on the Moon and returning him to Earth before the end of the 1960s—is one of the great adventure stories of all time. Bilstein goes on to describe NASA's recent planetary and extraplanetary exploration, as well as its less well-known research into the future of aeronautical design.

Social Issues in America

Social Issues in America
Author: James Ciment
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 2056
Release: 2015-03-04
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1317459717

More than 150 key social issues confronting the United States today are covered in this eight-volume set: from abortion and adoption to capital punishment and corporate crime; from obesity and organized crime to sweatshops and xenophobia.

Abandoned in Place

Abandoned in Place
Author: Roland Miller
Publisher: UNM Press
Total Pages: 175
Release: 2016-03-01
Genre: Photography
ISBN: 0826356265

Stenciled on many of the deactivated facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the evocative phrase “abandoned in place” indicates the structures that have been deserted. Some structures, too solid for any known method of demolition, stand empty and unused in the wake of the early period of US space exploration. Now Roland Miller’s color photographs document the NASA, Air Force, and Army facilities across the nation that once played a crucial role in the space race. Rapidly succumbing to the elements and demolition, most of the blockhouses, launch towers, tunnels, test stands, and control rooms featured in Abandoned in Place are located at secure military or NASA facilities with little or no public access. Some have been repurposed, but over half of the facilities photographed no longer exist. The haunting images collected here impart artistic insight while preserving an important period in history.

Rehabilitation of the Rocket Vehicle Integration Test Stand at Edwards Air Force Base

Rehabilitation of the Rocket Vehicle Integration Test Stand at Edwards Air Force Base
Author: National Aeronaut Administration (Nasa)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 58
Release: 2020-08-18
Genre:
ISBN:

Since initial use in 1958 for the X-15 rocket-powered research airplane, the Rocket Engine Test Facility has proven essential for testing and servicing rocket-powered vehicles at Edwards Air Force Base. For almost two decades, several successful flight-test programs utilized the capability of this facility. The Department of Defense has recently demonstrated a renewed interest in propulsion technology development with the establishment of the National Aerospace Initiative. More recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is undergoing a transformation to realign the organization, focusing on the Vision for Space Exploration. These initiatives provide a clear indication that a very capable ground-test stand at Edwards Air Force Base will be beneficial to support the testing of future access-to-space vehicles. To meet the demand of full integration testing of rocket-powered vehicles, the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, the Air Force Flight Test Center, and the Air Force Research Laboratory have combined their resources in an effort to restore and upgrade the original X-15 Rocket Engine Test Facility to become the new Rocket Vehicle Integration Test Stand. This report describes the history of the X-15 Rocket Engine Test Facility, discusses the current status of the facility, and summarizes recent efforts to rehabilitate the facility to support potential access-to-space flight-test programs. A summary of the capabilities of the facility is presented and other important issues are discussed. Jones, Daniel S. and Ray, Ronald J. and Phillips, Paul Armstrong Flight Research Center NASA/TM-2005-212863, H-2566 ENGINE TESTS; FLIGHT TESTS; GROUND TESTS; X-15 AIRCRAFT; TEST STANDS; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; RESEARCH AIRCRAFT; MILITARY TECHNOLOGY; NASA PROGRAMS

Test Pilot

Test Pilot
Author: John Hamilton
Publisher: ABDO
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2015-08-15
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1629697648

This title introduces readers to the job of test pilot. A short history of the profession is included, as are test pilots such as the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Chuck Yeager, Neil Armstrong, and their contributions to aviation and aircraft advancement. Education and training needed to become a test pilot is covered, such as programs at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, United States Naval Test Pilot School, and the National Test Pilot School. Xtreme facts provide additional information on this exciting job. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. A&D Xtreme is an imprint of Abdo Publishing Company, a division of ABDO.

Rehabilitation of the Rocket Vehicle Integration Test Stand at Edwards Air Force Base

Rehabilitation of the Rocket Vehicle Integration Test Stand at Edwards Air Force Base
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Adm Nasa
Publisher: Independently Published
Total Pages: 60
Release: 2018-09-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781723881008

Since initial use in 1958 for the X-15 rocket-powered research airplane, the Rocket Engine Test Facility has proven essential for testing and servicing rocket-powered vehicles at Edwards Air Force Base. For almost two decades, several successful flight-test programs utilized the capability of this facility. The Department of Defense has recently demonstrated a renewed interest in propulsion technology development with the establishment of the National Aerospace Initiative. More recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is undergoing a transformation to realign the organization, focusing on the Vision for Space Exploration. These initiatives provide a clear indication that a very capable ground-test stand at Edwards Air Force Base will be beneficial to support the testing of future access-to-space vehicles. To meet the demand of full integration testing of rocket-powered vehicles, the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, the Air Force Flight Test Center, and the Air Force Research Laboratory have combined their resources in an effort to restore and upgrade the original X-15 Rocket Engine Test Facility to become the new Rocket Vehicle Integration Test Stand. This report describes the history of the X-15 Rocket Engine Test Facility, discusses the current status of the facility, and summarizes recent efforts to rehabilitate the facility to support potential access-to-space flight-test programs. A summary of the capabilities of the facility is presented and other important issues are discussed.Jones, Daniel S. and Ray, Ronald J. and Phillips, PaulArmstrong Flight Research CenterENGINE TESTS; FLIGHT TESTS; GROUND TESTS; X-15 AIRCRAFT; TEST STANDS; RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; RESEARCH AIRCRAFT; MILITARY TECHNOLOGY; NASA PROGRAMS

The Smell of Kerosene

The Smell of Kerosene
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Publisher: DigiCat
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2022-11-13
Genre: Transportation
ISBN:

This book puts the reader in the pilot's seat for a "day at the office" unlike any other. The Smell of Kerosene tells the dramatic story of a NASA research pilot who logged over 11,000 flight hours in more than 125 types of aircraft. Donald Mallick gives the reader fascinating first-hand description of his early naval flight training, carrier operations, and his research flying career with NASA. After transferring to the NASA Flight Research Center, Mallick became involved with projects that further pushed the boundaries of aerospace technology. These included the giant delta-winged XB-70 supersonic airplane, the wingless M2-F1 lifting body vehicle, and triple-sonic YF-12 Blackbird. Mallick also test flew the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle and helped develop techniques used in training astronauts to land on the Moon.

Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot

Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot
Author: Albert Scott Crossfield
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2018-01-04
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1387491016

Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot is the detailed account of NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) and Albert Scott Crossfield's work in the post-war years and beyond pioneering the use of rocket-powered planes. Crossfield and his team paved the path for space exploration making this, his autobiography, essential reading for historians and aviation buffs.

Space Exploration and Humanity [2 volumes]

Space Exploration and Humanity [2 volumes]
Author: American Astronautical Society
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 1557
Release: 2010-08-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1851095195

A complete history of human endeavors in space, this book also moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications. In two expertly written volumes, Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia covers all aspects of space flight in all participating nations, ranging from the Cold War–era beginnings of the space race to the lunar landings and the Apollo-Soyuz mission; from the Shuttle disasters and the Hubble telescope to Galileo, the Mars Rover, and the International Space Station. The book moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications. Produced in conjunction with the History Committee of the American Astronautical Society, this work divides its coverage into six sections, each beginning with an overview essay, followed by an alphabetically organized series of entries on topics such as astrophysics and planetary science; civilian and commercial space applications; human spaceflight and microgravity science; space and society; and space technology and engineering. Whether investigating a specific issue or event or tracing an overarching historic trend, students and general readers will find this an invaluable resource for launching their study of one of humanity's most extraordinary endeavors.

Introduction to Flight Testing

Introduction to Flight Testing
Author: James W. Gregory
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 356
Release: 2021-05-17
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 111894982X

Introduction to Flight Testing Introduction to Flight Testing Provides an introduction to the basic flight testing methods employed on general aviation aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles Introduction to Flight Testing provides a concise introduction to the basic flight testing methods employed on general aviation aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles for courses in aeronautical engineering. There is particular emphasis on the use of modern on-board instruments and inexpensive, off-the-shelf portable devices that make flight testing accessible to nearly any student. This text presents a clear articulation of standard methods for measuring aircraft performance characteristics. Topics covered include aircraft and instruments, digital data acquisition techniques, flight test planning, the standard atmosphere, uncertainty analysis, level flight performance, airspeed calibration, stall, climb and glide, take-off and landing, level turn, static and dynamic longitudinal stability, lateral-directional stability, and flight testing of unmanned aircraft systems. Unique to this book is a detailed discussion of digital data acquisition (DAQ) techniques, which are an integral part of modern flight test programs. This treatment includes discussion of the analog-to-digital conversion, sample rate, aliasing, and filtering. These critical details provide the flight test engineer with the insight needed to understand the capabilities and limitations of digital DAQ. Key features: Provides an introduction to the basic flight testing methods and instrumentation employed on general aviation aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Includes examples of flight testing on general aviation aircraft such as Cirrus, Diamond, and Cessna aircraft, along with unmanned aircraft vehicles. Suitable for courses on Aircraft Flight Test Engineering. Introduction to Flight Testing provides resources and guidance for practitioners in the rapidly-developing field of drone performance flight test and the general aviation flight test community.