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> Due to the low perigee and aerodynamics of the X-15, no retrorocket was required, although the X-15's restartable engine could be used if necessary. Using its
by didericis 4y ago
> Due to the low perigee and aerodynamics of the X-15, no retrorocket was required, although the X-15's restartable engine could be used if necessary. Using its cross range capability of about 800 to 1,000 km, the X-15 would ditch in the Gulf of Mexico. The heat shield would consist of beryllium oxide and Rene 41 alloy. The pilot would eject and land by parachute, with the aircraft being lost.
Slowing down from orbit and then requiring the pilot to ditch via parachute over the Gulf of Mexico seems insane even by 50s test pilot standards, although I wouldn’t be surprised if pilots have done crazier.
- TMWNN 4y ago>Slowing down from orbit and then requiring the pilot to ditch via parachute over the Gulf of Mexico seems insane even by 50s test pilot standards, although I wouldn’t be surprised if pilots have done crazier. They did. Yuri Gagarin did not land with his spacecraft; Vostok was designed so that the pilot always used his own parachute after reentering the atmosphere. (This was kept secret, as it meant that Vostok 1 did not qualify as the first orbital spaceflight based on FAI rules.)