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X-15 with test pilot Capt. J
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| Photo Description |
Captain Joe Engle is seen here next to the X-15-2 (56-6671) rocket-powered research aircraft after a flight. Engle made 16 flights in the X-15 between October 7, 1963, and October 14, 1965. Three of the flights, on June 29, August 10, and October 14, 1965, were above 50 miles, qualifying him for astronaut wings under the Air Force definition. (NASA followed the international definition of space as starting at 62 miles.) Engle was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1966, making him the only person who had flown in space before being selected as an astronaut. First assigned to the Apollo program, he served on the support crew for Apollo 10, and then as backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 14. In 1977, he was commander of one of two crews who were launched from atop a modified Boeing 747 in order to conduct approach and landing tests with the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Then in November 1981, he commanded the second flight of the Shuttle Columbia and manually flew the re-entry--performing 29 flight test maneuvers--from Mach 25 through landing roll out. This was the first and, so far, only time that a winged aerospace vehicle has been manually flown from orbit through landing. He accumulated the last of his 224 hours in space when he commanded the Shuttle Discovery during STS-51-I in August of 1985. |
| Project Description |
The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wingspan of 22 ft. It was a missile-shaped vehicle with an unusual wedge-shaped vertical tail, thin stubby wings, and unique fairings that extended along the side of the fuselage. The X-15 weighed about 14,000 lb empty and approximately 34,000 lb at launch. The XLR-99 rocket engine, manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Corp., was pilot controlled and was capable of developing 57,000 lb of rated thrust (actual thrust reportedly climbed to 60,000 lb). North American Aviation built three X-15 aircraft for the program. The X-15 research aircraft was developed to provide in-flight information and data on aerodynamics, structures, flight controls, and the physiological aspects of high-speed, high-altitude flight. A follow-on program used the aircraft as a testbed to carry various scientific experiments beyond the Earth's atmosphere on a repeated basis. For flight in the dense air of the usable atmosphere, the X-15 used conventional aerodynamic controls such as rudder surfaces on the vertical stabilizers to control yaw and canted horizontal surfaces on the tail to control pitch when moving in synchronization or roll when moved differentially. For flight in the thin air outside of the appreciable Earth's atmosphere, the X-15 used a reaction control system. Hydrogen peroxide thrust rockets located on the nose of the aircraft provided pitch and yaw control. Those on the wings provided roll control. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. Depending on the mission, the rocket engine provided thrust for the first 80 to 120 sec of flight. The remainder of the normal 10 to 11 min. flight was powerless and ended with a 200-mph glide landing. Generally, one of two types of X-15 flight profiles was used: a high-altitude flight plan that called for the pilot to maintain a steep rate of climb, or a speed profile that called for the pilot to push over and maintain a level altitude. The X-15 was flown over a period of nearly 10 years--June 1959 to Oct. 1968--and set the world's unofficial speed and altitude records of 4,520 mph (Mach 6.7) and 354,200 ft (over 67 mi) in a program to investigate all aspects of piloted hypersonic flight. Information gained from the highly successful X-15 program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo manned spaceflight programs, and also the Space Shuttle program. The X-15s made a total of 199 flights and were manufactured by North American Aviation. X-15-1, serial number 56-6670, is now located at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. North American X-15A-2, serial number 56-6671, is at the United States Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The X-15-3, serial number 56-6672, crashed on 15 November 1967, resulting in the death of Maj. Michael J. Adams. |
| Photo Date |
1965 |
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Saturn V S-IVB (Third) Stage
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| Name of Image |
Saturn V S-IVB (Third) Stage at the Beta Test Stand 1 |
| Date of Image |
1968-01-01 |
| Full Description |
This image depicts the Saturn V S-IVB (third) stage for the Apollo 10 mission being removed from the Beta Test Stand 1 after its acceptance test at the Douglas Aircraft Company's Sacramento Test Operations (SACTO) facility. After the S-II (second) stage dropped away, the S-IVB (third) stage was ignited and burned for about two minutes to place itself and the Apollo spacecraft into the desired Earth orbit. At the proper time during this Earth parking orbit, the S-IVB stage was re-ignited to speed the Apollo spacecraft to escape velocity injecting it and the astronauts into a moon trajectory. Developed and manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company in California, the S-IVB stage measures about 21.5 feet in diameter, about 58 feet in length, and powered by a single 200,000-pound-thrust J-2 engine with a re-start capability. The S-IVB stage was also used on the second stage of the Saturn IB launch vehicle. |
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Montage of Apollo Crew Patch
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| Name of Image |
Montage of Apollo Crew Patches |
| Date of Image |
1979-05-01 |
| Full Description |
This montage depicts the flight crew patches for the manned Apollo 7 thru Apollo 17 missions. The Apollo 7 through 10 missions were basically manned test flights that paved the way for lunar landing missions. Primary objectives met included the demonstration of the Command Service Module (CSM) crew performance, crew/space vehicle/mission support facilities performance and testing during a manned CSM mission, CSM rendezvous capability, translunar injection demonstration, the first manned Apollo docking, the first Apollo Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), performance of the first manned flight of the lunar module (LM), the CSM-LM docking in translunar trajectory, LM undocking in lunar orbit, LM staging in lunar orbit, and manned LM-CSM docking in lunar orbit. Apollo 11 through 17 were lunar landing missions with the exception of Apollo 13 which was forced to circle the moon without landing due to an onboard explosion. The craft was,however, able to return to Earth safely. Apollo 11 was the first manned lunar landing mission and performed the first lunar surface EVA. Landing site was the Sea of Tranquility. A message for mankind was delivered, the U.S. flag was planted, experiments were set up and 47 pounds of lunar surface material was collected for analysis back on Earth. Apollo 12, the 2nd manned lunar landing mission landed in the Ocean of Storms and retrieved parts of the unmanned Surveyor 3, which had landed on the Moon in April 1967. The Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) was deployed, and 75 pounds of lunar material was gathered. Apollo 14, the 3rd lunar landing mission landed in Fra Mauro. ALSEP and other instruments were deployed, and 94 pounds of lunar materials were gathered, using a hand cart for first time to transport rocks. Apollo 15, the 4th lunar landing mission landed in the Hadley-Apennine region. With the first use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), the crew was bale to gather 169 pounds of lunar material. Apollo 16, the 5th lunar landing mission, landed in the Descartes Highlands for the first study of highlands area. Selected surface experiments were deployed, the ultraviolet camera/spectrograph was used for first time on the Moon, and the LRV was used for second time for a collection of 213 pounds of lunar material. The Apollo program came to a close with Apollo 17, the 6th and final manned lunar landing mission that landed in the Taurus-Littrow highlands and valley area. This mission hosted the first scientist-astronaut, Schmitt, to land on the Moon. The 6th automated research station was set up, and 243 ponds of lunar material was gathered using the LRV. |
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Stafford and Siepert Talk Wi
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| Name of Image |
Stafford and Siepert Talk With U.S. Vice-President Spiro T. Agnew |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-16 |
| Full Description |
Apollo 10 commander, Thomas P. Stafford (left) and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Deputy Director Albert Siepert (right) talk with U.S. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew a few minutes before the launch of Apollo 11. The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from KSC, Florida via the Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. The Saturn V vehicle was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) under the direction of Dr. Wernher von Braun. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface, followed by Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. |
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Apollo 10 view of the Earth
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| Title |
Apollo 10 view of the Earth rising above the lunar horizon |
| Description |
A view of the earth rising above the lunar horizon photographed from the Apollo 10 Lunar Module, looking west in the direction of travel. The Lunar Module at the time the picture was taken was located above the lunar farside highlands at approximately 105 degrees east longitude. |
| Date |
05.18.1969 |
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Ascent stage of Apollo 10 Lu
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| Title |
Ascent stage of Apollo 10 Lunar Module seen from Command module |
| Description |
The ascent stage of the Apollo 10 Lunar Module (LM) is photographed from the Command Module prior to docking in lunar orbit. The LM is approaching the Command and Service Modules from below. The LM descent stage had already been jettisoned. The lunar surface in the background is near, but beyond the eastern limb of the moon as viewed from earth (about 120 degrees east longitude). The red/blue diagonal line is the spacecraft window. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-22 |
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Apollo 10 view of the Earth
| Title |
Apollo 10 view of the Earth |
| Description |
An Apollo 10 view of Earth from 26,000 nautical miles photographed from the spacecraft during its translunar journey toward the Moon. While the Yucatan Peninsula is obscured by clouds, nearly all of Mexico north of the Istmus of Tehuantepec can be clearly delineated. The Gulf of California and Baja California and the San Joaquin Valley can be easily identified. Also, the delta of the Rio Grande River and the Texas coast are visible. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Apollo 10 view of the Earth
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| Title |
Apollo 10 view of the Earth rising above the lunar horizon |
| Description |
A view of the earth rising above the lunar horizon photographed from the Apollo 10 Lunar Module, looking west in the direction of travel. The Lunar Module at the time the picture was taken was located above the lunar farside highlands at approximately 105 degrees east longitude. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Apollo 10 view of the Earth
| Title |
Apollo 10 view of the Earth |
| Description |
An Apollo 10 view of Earth photographed from the spacecraft shortly after translunar insertion. The counter-clockwise arrangement of the cloud formations indicates a northern hemisphere view, although insufficient amounts of land are visible for exact location. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Apollo 10 view of the Earth
| Title |
Apollo 10 view of the Earth |
| Description |
An Apollo 10 view of Earth from 100,000 nautical miles photographed from the spacecraft during its translunar journey toward the Moon. Visible are many areas of Europe and Africa. Among the features and countries identifiable are Portugal, Spain, Italy, Mediterranean Sea, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Black Sea, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sinai Peninsula, Nile Delta, Lake Chad, and South Africa. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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View of the Apollo 10 astron
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| Title |
View of the Apollo 10 astronauts in capsule during mission |
| Description |
Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Apollo 10 lunar module pilot, is seen in this color reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made, the Apollo 10 spacecraft was on a translunar course, and was already about 36,000 nautical miles from earth (33997), Closeup view of Astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 10 command module pilot, as seen in this reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft (33998), Closeup view of the face of Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo 10 commander, seen in this reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the spacecraft (33999). |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Astronaut John Young display
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| Title |
Astronaut John Young displays drawing of Snoopy |
| Description |
Astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 10 command module pilot, displays drawing of Snoopy in this color reproduction taken from the fourth telecast made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made the Apollo 10 spacecraft was about half-way to the moon, or approximately 112,000 nautical miles from the earth. Snoopy will be the code name of the Lunar Module (LM) during Apollo 10 operations when the LM and CM are separated. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-19 |
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View of the Apollo 10 astron
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| Title |
View of the Apollo 10 astronauts in capsule during mission |
| Description |
Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Apollo 10 lunar module pilot, is seen in this color reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made, the Apollo 10 spacecraft was on a translunar course, and was already about 36,000 nautical miles from earth (33997), Closeup view of Astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 10 command module pilot, as seen in this reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft (33998), Closeup view of the face of Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo 10 commander, seen in this reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the spacecraft (33999). |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Astronaut John Young display
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| Title |
Astronaut John Young displays drawing of Charlie Brown |
| Description |
Astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 10 command module pilot, displays drawing of Charlie Brown in this color reproduction taken from the fourth telecast made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made the Apollo 10 spacecraft was about half-way to the moon, or approximately 112,000 nautical miles from the earth. Charlie Brown will be the code name of the Command Module (CM) during Apollo 10 operations when the Lunar Module and CM are separated (34075), Young displays drawing of Snoopy in this reproduction taken from a television transmission. Snoopy will be the code name of the Lunar Module (LM) during Apollo 10 operations when the LM and CM are separated (34076). |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-19 |
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View of the Apollo 10 astron
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| Title |
View of the Apollo 10 astronauts in capsule during mission |
| Description |
Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, Apollo 10 lunar module pilot, is seen in this color reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made, the Apollo 10 spacecraft was on a translunar course, and was already about 36,000 nautical miles from earth (33997), Closeup view of Astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 10 command module pilot, as seen in this reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft (33998), Closeup view of the face of Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, Apollo 10 commander, seen in this reproduction taken from the third television transmission made by the color television camera aboard the spacecraft (33999). |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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View of Earth from Apollo 10
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| Title |
View of Earth from Apollo 10 taken from reproduction of tv transmission |
| Description |
A cloud-covered earth from about 12,800 nautical miles away is seen in this color reproduction taken from the second TV transmission made by the color television camera onboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. The United States and Mexico are located at right center. The more cloud-free area is the western and southwestern part of the U.S. and northern Mexico. Clouds cover the eastern half of the U.S. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Partial view of activity in
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| Title |
Partial view of activity in Mission Control Center during Apollo 10 mission |
| Description |
Partial view of activity in the Mission Operations Control Room in the Mission Control Center, bldg 30, on the first day of the Apollo 10 lunar orbit mission. The television monitor shows a picture of the earth made during the second telecast from the Apollo 10's color TV camera. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-18 |
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Astronaut Cernan points to A
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| Title |
Astronaut Cernan points to Apollo Landing Site 2 on lunar map during voyage |
| Description |
Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan points to Apollo Landing Site 2 on a lunar map in this color reproduction taken from the fifth telecast made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made, the Apollo 10 spacecraft was approximately 175,300 nautical miles from earth, and only 43,650 nautical miles from the moon. Cernan is the Apollo 10 lunar module pilot. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-20 |
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Astronaut Stafford gives exa
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| Title |
Astronaut Stafford gives example of weightless environment during Apollo 10 |
| Description |
Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford (left) gives a example of conditions in a weightless environment by literally holding Astronaut John W. Young up by the head in this color reproduction taken from the fourth telecast made by the color television camera aboard the Apollo 10 spacecraft. When this picture was made, the Apollo 10 spacecraft was about half-way to the moon, or approximately 112,000 nautical miles from earth. |
| Date Taken |
1969-05-19 |
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