The Air Force launched its second of four X-51A rockets last weekend.
The flight followed a first flight more than a year ago, which was terminated early due to an overheating problem that turned out to be critical at a speed of about mach 4 and a flight time of just over 2 minutes. This time, the scramjet-powered X-51A topped mach 5 following a drop from a B-52H bomber at an altitude of about 50,000 feet. However, the test flight failed as the rocket did not transition from ethylene to JP7 jet fuel as the power source. Data collected during the flight is now used to prepare the third flight, which is scheduled to take place sometime this fall.
The flight followed a first flight more than a year ago, which was terminated early due to an overheating problem that turned out to be critical at a speed of about mach 4 and a flight time of just over 2 minutes. This time, the scramjet-powered X-51A topped mach 5 following a drop from a B-52H bomber at an altitude of about 50,000 feet. However, the test flight failed as the rocket did not transition from ethylene to JP7 jet fuel as the power source. Data collected during the flight is now used to prepare the third flight, which is scheduled to take place sometime this fall.
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| X-51 waverider on the pylon of B-52 bomber |
The Air Force, vehicle designer Boeing and engine manufacturer Pratt-Whitney delayed the second flight several times from the original launch date of March 22.
The X-51A is Air Force’s most significant research in advanced rocket engines since the original X-15 more than 50 years ago. At the heart of the vehicle is an SJY61 combustion “scramjet” engine made by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne that burns JP7 jet fuel. Scramjets burn atmospheric oxygen and do not require fuel tanks with oxidizer like conventional rockets. Boeing Phantom Works designed the X-51A, which is built from materials such as aluminum, steel, inconel, carbon composites and titanium. There is also a silica-based thermal protection system similar to that used on the space shuttles.
The X-51A is Air Force’s most significant research in advanced rocket engines since the original X-15 more than 50 years ago. At the heart of the vehicle is an SJY61 combustion “scramjet” engine made by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne that burns JP7 jet fuel. Scramjets burn atmospheric oxygen and do not require fuel tanks with oxidizer like conventional rockets. Boeing Phantom Works designed the X-51A, which is built from materials such as aluminum, steel, inconel, carbon composites and titanium. There is also a silica-based thermal protection system similar to that used on the space shuttles.
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