The X-43A/Pegasus combination dropped into the Pacific Ocean after losing control early in the first free-flight attempt
The first X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket were carried aloft by NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft from Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on June 2, 2001 for the first of three high-speed free flight attempts. About an hour and 15 minutes later the Pegasus booster was released from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 7. Before this could be achieved, the combined Pegasus and X-43A "stack" lost control about eight seconds after ignition of the Pegasus rocket motor. The mission was terminated and explosive charges ensured the Pegasus and X-43A fell into the Pacific Ocean in a cleared Navy range area. A NASA investigation board is being assembled to determine the cause of the incident. Work continues on two other X-43A vehicles, the first of which could fly by late 2001. Central to the X-43A program is its integration of an air-breathing "scramjet" engine that could enable a variety of high-speed aerospace craft, and promote cost-effective access to space. The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built for NASA by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn. The booster was built by
- Date
- 2001-06-02
- Photographer / author
- NASA/Jim Ross
- Collection
- AFRC
- Archive
- NASA Image and Video Library
- Type
- photograph
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Credit line
"The X-43A/Pegasus combination dropped into the Pacific Ocean after losing control early in the first free-flight attempt" (2001-06-02). NASA/AFRC/NASA/Jim Ross. Public domain. https://images.nasa.gov/details/EC01-0182-11Need photos for a whole script? Add Find Any Photo to Claude and ask for this one by its id: 90873.
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