NASA has completed a series of six flights using a Boeing F-15 especially adapted to test thermal protection system materials destined to be used on the X-33 reusable space vehicle.
The aircraft reached an altitude of 36,000ft (11,000m) at speeds of up to Mach 1.4 from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The Lockheed Martin X-33 sub-orbital reusable launch vehicle demonstrator is heading for its first flight in July 1999.
The materials tested for use onboard included metallic Inconel tiles, advanced soft, flexible reusable surface insulation tiles and sealing materials, which were mounted on the forward-left side of the F-15's flight test fixture.
In-flight video was used to document the materials' behaviour in flight. No signs of wear from high speed flight or manoeuvring were apparent on any of the materials, according to the space agency.
Source: Flight International
