“Here’s what we know,” said Air Force Maj. Chris Schulz, DARPA HTV-2 program manager and PhD in aerospace engineering. “We know how to boost the aircraft to near space. We know how to insert the aircraft into atmospheric hypersonic flight. We do not yet know how to achieve the desired control during the aerodynamic phase of flight. It’s vexing; I’m confident there is a solution. We have to find it.”
These two craft did not seem to have that issue:
Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 08/11/2011 07:44 pmThese two craft did not seem to have that issue: Agreed! They did not seem to be "vexed" like this vehicle. I didn't like the spin in the press release.
Sounds like it failed in the same regime as last year's flight...
Quote from: jjnodice on 08/11/2011 07:52 pmQuote from: Ronsmytheiii on 08/11/2011 07:44 pmThese two craft did not seem to have that issue: Agreed! They did not seem to be "vexed" like this vehicle. I didn't like the spin in the press release.Apples and oranges.
Today, DARPA attempted to fly the fastest aircraft ever built. The Agency’s Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) is designed to fly anywhere in the world in less than 60 minutes. This capability requires an aircraft that can fly at 13,000 mph, while experiencing temperatures in excess of 3500F.
The second test flight began with launch at 0745 Pacific Time. The Minotaur IV vehicle successfully inserted the aircraft into the desired trajectory.
Separation of the vehicle was confirmed by rocket cam and the aircraft transitioned to Mach 20 aerodynamic flight.
We don’t know what caused the problems but given the maneuvers to be investigated “coupling” could have been a concern given the vehicle “tailless” configuration. All speculation of course. Makes for some good reading from a historical perspective.RegardsRobert http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/pdf/88484main_H-2106.pdf
QuoteToday, DARPA attempted to fly the fastest aircraft ever built. The Agency’s Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) is designed to fly anywhere in the world in less than 60 minutes. This capability requires an aircraft that can fly at 13,000 mph, while experiencing temperatures in excess of 3500F.Okay, I thought Shuttle was the fastest aircraft ever built.
Quote from: Rocket Science on 08/12/2011 12:26 amWe don’t know what caused the problems but given the maneuvers to be investigated “coupling” could have been a concern given the vehicle “tailless” configuration. All speculation of course. Makes for some good reading from a historical perspective.RegardsRobert http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/pdf/88484main_H-2106.pdfSo why go tailless? Shuttle and X-37 have them. Would a tail be an obstacle in reaching the L/D goals at the expense of more difficult control? Or is the tail more important for a vehicle that wants to go subsonic at some point? Just curious and wanting to learn more.