X-Planes from the X-1 to the X-60: An Illustrated History (Springer Praxis Books

[archipeppe68]

I have the pleasure to introduce you my next book, always done with my friend and co-author Michael H. Gorn, dedicated to the NASA X-Planes (and we all know they aren't definitely all planes...) from X-1 to the X-60. It will released by Springer-Praxis next 8th of January 2022.

Please, stay tuned for further info...

https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030863975#aboutBook

https://www.amazon.com/MOXIC-Geometric-Rectangular-Children-Anti-Slip/dp/3030863972/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=NASA+X-planes+from+X-1+to+X-60&qid=1628153726&s=books&sr=1-1

[Thorny]

I have the pleasure to introduce you my next book, always done with my friend and co-author Michael H. Gorn, dedicated to the NASA X-Planes (and we all know they aren't definitely all planes...) from X-1 to the X-60. It will released by Springer-Praxis next 8th of January 2022.

Thank you! A good new book about the X-Planes is badly needed. There hasn't been one in, what, 20 years (Jay Miller's, now out of print)?

[archipeppe68]

You're welcome Thorny our intent was exactly this one, filing the gap from previous publications and the actual situation.

[Oersted]

Anywhere I can see some page views of the book?

[archipeppe68]

In the next weeks on Amazon web page dedicated to X-Planes book should appear some images extracted by the book.

[Vahe231991]

Does this book take note of the fact that the X-11 and X-12 were merely intended to be technology demonstrators for the Atlas, given that the initial Atlas design had five rocket engines and the X-11 and X-12 themselves were cancelled after the Atlas was redesigned as a much smaller ICBM with three rocket engines following H-bomb tests in the Pacific showing that the warhead for the Atlas could be made significantly smaller and lighter than expected? Lest anyone forget, we know from existing documents that the SM-65A Atlas A and SM-65B Atlas B were different vehicles than the X-11 and X-12.

[archipeppe68]

The book actually deals with the whole X-11/12 story, starting by the original Atlas configuration (taller, bigger, heavier with 4 engines), I enclose an artwork extracted from the book.

Ciao
Giuseppe

[Vahe231991]

In case anyone's aware, the chapter of the new book dealing with the Boeing X-20 may have to be slightly modified before this book is sent to the printers to mention that XJN-1 (XJN=Experimental Spacecraft, Test) was originally requested for the X-20 Dynasoar under a short-lived US Air Force designation system for guided missiles, rockets, and spacecraft (used from 1961 to 1963), but rejected in favor of X-20 (Colonel Ferer of the USAF system management office disliked the XJN-1 designation and preferred XMS-1 [experimental Manned Spacecraft], only to see that proposed designation turned down in favor of X-20). As a matter of fact XJN-1 is one of just two unclassified designations under the 1961 USAF designation system for missiles, rockets, and spacecraft, the other being AIM-101 for the US Air Force version of the Sparrow (which later became AIM-7D).

[archipeppe68]

Thank you for such interesting suggestion.
Unfortunately we cannot implement it currently the book is already in production phase, since the new release date is anticipated by the Publisher from 8th January 2022 to 15th November 2021.

Anyway we took in count of it in case we will deliver a second edition of the book.

Best regards
Giuseppe

[Vahe231991]

According to Barnes & Noble, the table contents for this book is as follows:

* Chapter 1. High-speed and high-altitude flight: The first X-planes
* Chapter 2. Specific improvements: Technology demonstrators
* Chapter 3. Prelude to the High Frontier: Early space vehicles
* Chapter 4. Flight testing for combat: Military vehicles
* Chapter 5. Aerodynamics and engines: NASA’s research agenda
* Chapter 6. Beyond the horizon: Access to space
* Index

[Vahe231991]

The book has been officially released by Springer-Praxis. I've already pre-ordered this book on Amazon, and it'd be interesting to see when the volume goes into stock in the US (Book Depository gives a release date of January 23, 2022).

[archipeppe68]

Thank you so much Vahe!!

Meanwhile, finally I received my copies, here there are some shots...

[Vahe231991]

If anyone's aware, the book does not feature entries for the X-41 Common Aero Vehicle or X-42 Upper Stage Flight Experiment (USFE), because much data for the X-41 and X-42 are classified, although the prologue of the book mentions the X-41 and X-42 in passing.

[archipeppe68]

Yesterday Michael Gorn has released a phone interview with Lance Orozco for KCLU radio about X-Planes book:

https://www.kclu.org/local-news/2022-02-10/south-coast-based-aviation-historian-authors-new-book-about-history-of-groundbreaking-x-plane-series