+ 1970 News Releases (7.6 Mb PDF file) - NASA

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I% .TIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
MANNEDSPACECRAFT
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483-5111 Mst 7o-53
_av 20, 1970
HOUSTON_ TEXAS---A one-tenth size, dynamically scaled experimental
model of the proposed "MSC lo. SK Space Orbiter Shuttlecraft" w_ll be
subjected to a series of drop tests at the White Sands Missile Range in
New Mexico with the first drop scheduled on May 25_ 1970.
Initial systems verification tests were conducted in a drop from
8,000 feet aY Ft. Hood_ Texas on Hay 4, 1970.
The continuing tests at WSMR are to demonstrate the test vehicle's
transition from a high angle of attack reentry to a level cruise attitude_
the stability of the vehicle in stalled conditions, and to obtain freeflight
data to assist in aerodynamic analytical transition prediction
techniques.
The shuttle test vehicle to be used in these tests is about 13 feet
long_ with a fuselage 2 feet in diameter_ an S-foot wing span and weighs
about 600 pounds.
The vehicle incorporates an outer fiberglas fuselage section shaded
to the desired contour, break-away fiberglas wing tips, and a fiberglas
vertical stabilizer. These fiberglas parts can be readily changed to
update the model configuration or if any of the parts are damaged. The
model also employs a crushable nose section to attenuate landing shock
since the vehicle lands in a nose do'_n attitude suspended from its
parachute. The remaining structure is of aluminum construction.
Systems incorporated within the vehicle a_e a telemetry system_
dual command system, cold-gas rate-damping reaction control system (RCS)_
controllable elevator system_ fo_:ard-looking on-board movie eamera_
radar transponder system_ a stabilization parachute system_ a recovery
parachute system and a safety timer sequencer system.
The shuttleeraft test vehicle will be air dropped from a CH-54
__ helicopter at low airspeeds from maximum drop altitudes of 12,000 feet
mean sea level. Helicopter support will be supplied by the 291st Aviation
Company, U. S. Army, Ft. Sill, _llahoma.