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Ames Mach 10 Demonstrator

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

American manned spaceplane. Ames proposed in 1957 to air-launch a high-wing designed hypersonic glider from a B-36 bomber. Early versions would use an XLR-99-powered booster stage and be capable of reaching Mach 6.

The final version would be powered by a 68,000 kgf LR-89-NA-1 engine and reach Mach 10. The aircraft would be launched over the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Canaveral and then fly across the southern United States for a landing at Edward AFB in California.

Country
USA
Engines
LR89-5
Propellants
Lox/Kerosene
Agency
NASA
Bibliography
44