Nasa's WB-57 takes to the air again after 41 years grounded.
IIRC, after Columbia mishap, and before the resumption of flights, NASA wanted to have a really good recordings of what's falling and hitting what, during the launch. Presumably, without pre-conditions for cloud layers etc. that a ground telescope would impose. WB-57 with side-looking camera was the answer. Apparently the thing has an air-conditioned equipment bay in the nose so that the payloads can be swapped as needed. An auxiliary equipment, from the company that I work for, went along - so that's how I learned about it. Made us all feel very special 
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
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I noticed a NASA WB-57 on ADSB out of Mildenhall a few years ago, it was heading towards Strumble and back across the Atlantic.
Presume that's Houston they're flying over?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Fitliker,
Only if they wanted to accept a dramatic reduction in aircraft ceiling.
They need a replacement they could order a couple of Scaled Composite Proteus. Ceiling with 50% fuel was already in the FL 650+ region. Then for the NASA Crystal-FACE program they fitted it with 13.5ft wing extensions.......
Only if they wanted to accept a dramatic reduction in aircraft ceiling.
They need a replacement they could order a couple of Scaled Composite Proteus. Ceiling with 50% fuel was already in the FL 650+ region. Then for the NASA Crystal-FACE program they fitted it with 13.5ft wing extensions.......
