Eclipse Project
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In 1997 and 1998 the
Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, supported and hosted a Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. (KST) project Eclipse, which sought to demonstrate the feasibility of a reusable tow-launch vehicle concept. The objectives were: demonstration of towed takeoff, climb-out, and separation of the EXD-01 from the towing aircraft; validation of simulation models of the towed aircraft systems; and development of ground and flight procedures for towing and launching a delta-winged airplane configuration safely behind a transport-type aircraft.[1]
The
The
Mark Stucky flew a QF-106 on the first towed flight. Stucky flew six successful tow tests between December 1997 and February 6, 1998. On February 6, 1998 the Eclipse project accomplished its sixth and final towed flight, bringing the project to a successful completion.[4]
References
- ^ "Past Project - Eclipse Tow Launch Demonstration". May 10, 2017.
- ^ "F-106 Delta Dart and NASA Eclipse".
- ^ "NASA Dryden Eclipse Photo Collection". www.dfrc.nasa.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "The Eclipse Project" (PDF). NASA. May 23, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2023.