O'keefe Resigns

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Volume 46 Issue 11 Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California December 31, 2004 O’Keefe resigns NASA News Services FondFondFond NASAAdministrator Sean O’Keefe, who in the past three years led the Agency through an aggressive and comprehensive management transformation and helped it through one of its most painful tragedies, has resigned his post. In his resignation letter to President Bush, O’Keefe wrote, “I will continue until you have named a successor and in the hope the Senate will act on your nomination by February.” FarewellFarewellFarewell “I’ve been honored to serve this ■ Storied research aircraft president, the American people and my retired after more than talented colleagues here at NASA,” four decades in the skies O’Keefe said. “Together, we’ve enjoyed unprecedented success and By Jay Levine seen each other through arduous X-Press Editor circumstances. This was the most Dryden’s venerable NB-52B aircraft difficult decision I’ve ever made, but was recognized Dec. 17 for a career it’s one I felt was best for my family spanning nearly fifty years, a tour of duty and our future.” in which the big bird played a role in O’Keefe, 48, is NASA’s 10th airlaunching generations of experimental administrator. Nominated by President aircraft. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. The retirement ceremony brought Senate, he was sworn into office Dec. together people from the aircraft’s past 21, 2001. It was O’Keefe’s fourth and present as it is prepared for its future presidential appointment. as a historical monument at the Edwards Air After joining NASA, O’Keefe Force Base north gate. There, it will inspire focused his efforts on successfully new generations of researchers and pay bringing financial credibility to the tribute to its role as one of the most important Agency and eliminating a $5 billion aircraft in flight research history. budget shortfall for the International The NB-52B’s first missions were in the Space Station program. He introduced hypersonic X-15 program, where the several innovative management and aircraft launched 106 of the program’s 199 budget reforms and led all federal flights. Appropriately, the aircraft’s last agencies in the implementation of the mission was the airlaunch of the President’s Management Agenda, hypersonic X-43A, which broke records designed to make government more with a nearly Mach 10 flight in November. responsive and efficient. In three of the Former Dryden pilot Ed Schneider original five agenda categories, hosted the ceremony. NASA’s performance is at the highest “This airplane has played a pivotal yet standard. largely unsung role in many significant The tragic loss of seven astronauts aeronautics and space flight programs,” aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as Schneider told a large crowd gathered in it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere during Dryden’s 4802 hangar. “I was privileged STS-107 on Feb. 1, 2003, focused the to fly her and perform some of the many nation’s attention on the future of tests represented by the silhouettes on her America’s space program. fuselage – 008 is a grand lady and always O’Keefe directed significant fun to fly.” changes in the Space Shuttle’s safety Former Dryden research pilot Fitzhugh and management programs. He was a “Fitz” Fulton also recalled his experiences key architect of the president’s vision flying the NB-52B. He and Schneider EC04 0327-38 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida for space exploration, announced in thanked Air Force maintenance crews, January 2004 during a speech by the from the craft’s early days – and since The NB-52B takes flight in the photo at top, EC04 0325-5 by Tony Landis. In the image president at NASA Headquarters in 1976, the NASA crews – for working above, Dryden employees welcome the NB-52B back to Dryden in November after its Washington, D.C. successful X-43A airlaunch, the final mission of its nearly 50-year career. through the night to get the vehicle ready The vision for space exploration led for pre-dawn missions. was a great big thump, like dropping a a few seconds the rocket airplane would a transformation of NASA and has “It was an interesting and challenging bomb. come up in front of the nose and we had positioned the Agency to meet the airplane to fly,” Fulton recalled. “It took “(When airlaunching the X-15) we the best view of the whole operation – challenges of safely returning the off faster than any other B-52 because we listened for the rocket engine to fire up a we could see the rocket plume and the Space Shuttle to flight, completing the didn’t use the flaps. It was a great feeling few seconds after the drop. You could when you dropped a test vehicle. There hear the rocket engine fire up, and in just See NB-52B, page 8 See O’Keefe, page 2 Inside

Dryden Exchange Council Dryden at forefront with chemi- More NB-52B retirement coverage, DC-8 returns from frosty Alaska, Scholarship awarded, page 2 cal inventory system, page 3 page 4 page 6 News December 31, 2004 O’Keefe ... from page 1 International Space Station, exploring Committee on Appropriations staff for doctorate degrees from several prestigious Earth’s complexities and returning to the eight years, and was staff director of the educational institutions. In March 2003 News moon, going on to Mars and beyond. Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. and 2004, he was recognized and honored “The president and Congress have His public service began in 1978 when by Irish American magazine as one of the demonstrated their faith in us. We need he was selected as a Presidential Top 100 Irish Americans. at NASANASAat to seize this opportunity,” O’Keefe said. Management Intern. He is the author of several journal “NASA has a new direction that will push O’Keefe is a Fellow of the National articles, contributing author to “Keeping the boundaries of technology, science, Academy of Public Administration; a the Edge: Managing Defense for the Rovers’ work on space flight and knowledge, and will member of the Committee on Climate Future” released in October 2000, and in inspire new generations of explorers for Change Science and Technology; and a 1998, co-authored “The Defense Industry Mars continues years to come and secure this great Fellow of the International Academy of in the Post-Cold War Era: Corporate for second year nation’s future.” Astronautics. Strategies and Public Policy Encouraging students to study During his academic postings, he was Perspectives.” NASA lit a birthday candle Jan. 3 for mathematics, science and technology has a visiting scholar at the Wolfson College O’Keefe earned his Bachelor of Arts the twin Mars Exploration Rovers been a priority for O’Keefe. In April 2002, of the University of Cambridge, England; degree in 1977 from Loyola University, Spirit and Opportunity when Spirit he unveiled a new Educator Astronaut a member of the Naval Postgraduate School New Orleans, and his Master of Public began its second year on Mars, program, in which a select few of civil-military relations seminar team; and Administration in 1978 from the Maxwell investigating puzzling rocks unlike any outstanding teachers would be chosen to seminar leader for the Strategic Studies School of Citizen found previously. join NASA’s Astronaut Corps. The new Group at Oxford University, England. ship and Public The rovers successfully completed Educator Astronaut candidates were O’Keefe served on the national security Affairs at their three-month primary missions in introduced in May on Space Day and are panel to devise the 1988 Republican Syracuse April 2004, astounding even their in training at Johnson Space Center in platform and was a member of the 1985 University, designers with how well they continue Houston. Kennedy School of Government program N.Y. operating. The unanticipated longevity During his tenure, O’Keefe realized a for national security executives at is allowing both rovers to reach number of significant mission triumphs, Harvard University. additional destinations and to continue including Cassini’s exploration of Saturn In 1993, he received the Distinguished making discoveries. Spirit landed Jan. and its moons, the successful hypersonic Public Service Award from the first 3, 2004, and Opportunity Jan. 24, 2004. test flights of the X-43A and the historic President Bush. He was the 1999 http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/ landing of the twin Mars Exploration faculty recipient of the Syracuse jan/HQ_05001_rovers_ continue. html Rovers Spirit and Opportunity on the Red University Chancellor’s Award for Planet in January 2004. Public Service; recipient of the Astronomers “NASA is the only agency in the world Department of the Navy’s where its people are allowed to dream big Public Service Award in discover the and then work to make those dreams December 2000; and has come true. Who wouldn’t treasure the been awarded honorary most powerful opportunity to be a part of pioneering history?” O’Keefe wrote in his resignation. eruption in “I’m humbled by the dedication and determination of the NASA family and their the universe commitment to the future of exploration. I Astronomers have discovered the wish each of them the very best. I am most powerful eruption in the universe confident in their ability to carry out what using NASA’s Chandra X-ray we’ve started.” Observatory. A super-massive black O’Keefe first joined the Bush hole generated the eruption by growing administration as deputy director of the at a remarkable rate. This discovery Office of Management and Budget, shows the enormous appetite of large overseeing preparation, management and black holes, and the profound impact administration of the federal budget and they have on their surroundings. government-wide management initiatives. The huge eruption was seen in a From 1989 to 1992, he served as Chandra image of the hot, X-ray- comptroller and chief financial officer of emitting gas of a galaxy cluster called the Department of Defense. President MS 0735.6+7421. Two vast cavities George H. W. Bush appointed him extend away from the super massive Secretary of the Navy in July 1992. black hole in the cluster’s central Before joining then Defense Secretary galaxy. The eruption, which has lasted Dick Cheney’s Pentagon management EC04 0292-01 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida for more than 100 million years, has team, he served on the U.S. Senate Administrator Sean O’Keefe visited Dryden in September. generated energy equivalent to hundreds of millions of gamma-ray bursts. Dryden scholarship winner named http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/ 2005/jan/HQ_05004_chandra.html Kerisha Schultz, center, daughter of Craig and Dawn Schultz of California City, was recently Elements in place named the recipient of the Joseph A. Walker Memorial Scholarship, for Space Shuttle given by Dryden’s Employee Exchange Council. Schultz, return to flight pictured with Dryden Center NASA marked a major milestone Director Kevin Petersen, left, and for the Space Shuttle’s return to flight her father, is a graduate of as the redesigned external fuel tank Tehachapi High School and a freshman at Point Loma Nazarene rolled out Jan. 6 from the barge that University, San Diego, majoring in carried it to Kennedy Space Center, liberal studies. She plans to Fla. become an elementary school The tank was taken to Kennedy’s teacher. The scholarship, the 20th Vehicle Assembly Building for a final to be awarded by the Exchange checkout. It eventually will be Council, is named for former attached to the twin solid rocket Dryden chief pilot Joe Walker, who boosters and the Space Shuttle lost his life in an aircraft accident Discovery for its return to flight in 1966. The scholarship is offered annually to high school seniors mission, STS-114. who are children of current or NASA and Lockheed Martin former government or contract Corp. spent nearly two years employees at Dryden. The $6,000 upgrading the tank to make it safer scholarship will be paid over four for liftoff. years of college if a 3.0 grade-point “This will be the safest tank we've average is maintained. Craig ever flown, no doubt about it,” said Schultz works with computer- Space Shuttle Program Manager Bill assisted drafting tools and is Parsons. employed by Lockheed-Martin at http://www.nasa.gov/missions/shuttle/ Dryden. EC04 0340-01 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida et_arrives.html

2 NASA Dryden X-Press December 31, 2004 News

R Dryden validates ChemSecure ESCUE By Leslie A. Williams Public Affairs Specialist and Dan Race Oracle Corporation Dryden is implementing an extensive wireless, sensor-based system aimed at improving the management of hazardous Editor’s note: In recognition of materials to enhance security and safety the NB-52B’s contributions to while significantly reducing ongoing aviation history, this issue’s Lakebed Legacies is dedicated to supply chain costs. some of the key events in the The ChemSecure pilot program aircraft’s service. integrates Radio Frequency Identification and sensor-based technology with the Department of Defense’s existing web- NB-52B Program based Hazardous Materials Management Chronology System database to automate real-time management of hazardous materials, 1955-1959 – B-52B was built at including usage, shipment, tracking and Boeing’s Seattle manufacturing storage. The first project of its kind, facility and was first flown June 11, ChemSecure was developed by Dryden 1955. It was used by the U.S. Air safety officials in close partnership with Force as a bomb/navigation system the Defense Department and leading test aircraft until 1958. B-52B was private-sector companies, including sent to the North American Aviation Oracle Corp., Redwood Shores, Calif.; facility in Palmdale for modifications Intermec Technologies Corp., on Dec. 13, 1958, and work began headquartered in Everett, Wash.; Jan. 6, 1959. The airplane’s right EnvironMax Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah; wing structure was modified to and Patlite (USA) Corp., Torrance, Calif. accept a launch pylon for the X-15 “The ChemSecure program is a and the wing flaps were permanently testament to NASA’s commitment to bolted closed. A notch was cut in the using advanced technology and business right wing flap to accommodate the processes to create safer, more secure vertical tail fin on the X-15. Military management systems for hazardous systems, such as the tail gun, were material movement and storage,” said removed. The X-15 launch pylon was Ralph Anton, chemical program manager EC04 0346-3 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida installed between the inboard right at Dryden. Above and below, Christina Urias, a Dryden chemical crib technician, inventories chemi- engine nacelles and the fuselage. “ChemSecure’s guiding business cals into the ChemSecure system. Dryden safety officials, in partnership with the U.S. Crew accommodations were added processes and technology foundation are Department of Defense and several companies, developed the system, which inte- for a launch panel operator. Then not limited to the hazardous materials grates radio frequency identification and sensor-based technology with an existing da- designated NB-52B, it was flown to tabase. environment — we see numerous Edwards Air Force Base where it costs and errors, the applications for tracking of a variety of joined the NB-52A. ChemSecure program materials in both the public and private 1959-1968 – Used for airlaunch of includes additional sectors, and plan to help agencies and the four X-15 vehicles (three in the capabilities such as: organizations take advantage of the basic configuration and one later • Supplying critical data system.” modified for increased fuel capacity), to first responders and ChemSecure places RFID tags on the NB-52B carried the X-15s aloft decision makers so they are hazardous material containers and uses 161 times resulting in 106 launches. equipped to make timely Oracle Sensor-Based Services to capture, The NB-52B was first used to decisions for the safety of manage, analyze and respond to any launch an X-15 during the personnel as well as for movement or other change with the hypersonic vehicle’s fifth flight, on physical assets in the chemicals. Dryden applies the real-time Jan. 23, 1960. environment during an information in the HMMS database to 1961 – NB-52B hosted the Inertial emergency evacuation make informed decisions about the Flight Data System pod tests. involving a chemical spill; transportation and storage of hazardous 1966-1975 – The lifting body • Monitoring personnel materials, and provides automatic alerts — program required the NB-52B to when they handle text messaging, voice alerts and e-mails — EC040346-6 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida carry five different vehicles (HL-10, hazardous containers and to security, safety, health and environmental M2-F2, M2-F3, X-24A, X-24B) aloft chemical information. Security providing accountability by crosschecking professionals to alert them of changes taking 164 times for 127 successful professionals are notified, for example, if personnel information with container place with hazardous materials. launches. unauthorized attempts are made to access information to reduce theft, error and fraud; ChemSecure utilizes data captured by 1970 – The NB-52B was used to hazardous materials, and environmental • Providing end-to-end visibility of the Intermec 750 mobile computers, IP3 simulate Space Shuttle landing professionals are alerted when the storage hazardous materials transportation and RFID mobile readers and fixed RFID approaches. limit of a hazardous chemical locker is in storage life cycle for improved decision readers, temperature sensors, and Patlite 1973-1981 – The 3/8-scale F-15 Spin danger of being exceeded. making and auditing; visual response devices to ensure that In addition to helping organizations Research Vehicle study consisted of managers have ready access to critical reduce hazardous materials management See ChemSecure, page 6 three vehicles that were carried aloft on the NB-52B 72 times resulting in 52 drops. 1976 – The NB-52B was transferred to NASA as a permanent-loan asset on April 26, 1976. ’ 1977 – The aircraft conducted two flights for the Air Force Weapons LetsLets DanceDanceDanceLets Laboratory. Studies flown included Lets DanceDanceLets 30 passes at Idaho National The Dryden Exchange Council sponsored the Center Christmas party Dec. 4 at El- Engineering Laboratory near Idaho egant Affairs in Lancaster. At right, Chief Pi- Falls, Idaho, to assess the effects of lot Gordon Fullerton takes center stage. engine and wingtip wake vortices on Exchange activities are open to all Dryden laser propagation. employees and retirees – civil servants and 1977-1978 – The Shuttle Solid contract workers. Rocket Booster parachute system Upcoming events being sponsored by the Council include: drop-test vehicle was researched • Feb. 5 – Chicago Musical at the using the NB-52B. First test series Pantages Theatre. Tickets are $46, which included six drops. includes a bus ride that departs Lancaster 1978-1979 – NB-52B used for at 11:30 a.m. Show time is 2 p.m. research of the F-111 crew escape • March 19 – Whale Watching in Ventura. system parachute test vehicle. First Tickets, at $35, include bus fare, lunch and test series included eight drops. three hours of whale watching. Tickets can be bought at the Dryden Gift Photo courtesy Jessica Lux-Baumann See Legacies, page 6 Shop, (661) 276-2113. NASA Dryden X-Press 3 Focus December 31, 2004

ECN 3443 RememberingRememberingRemembering thethethe www By Gray Creech efforts. Double-0-eight cut its teeth Dryden Public Affairs launching the X-15 on 106 of the ith a penchant for program’s 199 missions. Key people helped NB-52 chasing tomorrow, The B-52B’s first and last missions NASA’s B-52B “008” launched hypersonic research vehicles, NB-52B Pilots Claxton, Richard W. Hines, Joseph V. McMurt perenially carried the the first being launch of X-15 No. 1 in and Co-pilots Cole, Frank E. Higgins, Thomas McDowe W Allavie, John E. “Jack” Cotton, Joseph P. Hood, Robert C. Miller, J future of flight under its wing. 1960. Beginning with the X-15 First taking to the air in June of 1955, program, which matured reaction Andonian, Harry Cross, Carl S. Ishmael, Stephen Morgan, the venerable aircraft began its control systems and thermal protection Archer, Harry M. Doryland, Charles J. Jones, Gayland E. “Gay” Mosley, illustrious, nearly 50-year U.S. Air Force systems for spacecraft, and ending with Batteas, Frank W. Fiedler, Frederick A. King, Michael Neubert , and NASA career as a bomb navigation the X-43A project, NASA 008 served Bedke, Curtis M. Fisher, Allen Kuyk, Charles F. G., Jr. O’Hara, system test airplane for the Air Force’s hypersonic research well. Bement, Russell P. Fornell, Gordon E. Larson, George W. Purifoy, B-52 fleet. Ironically, the bomb/nav “I was here in January 1960 for the Benefield, Thomas D. “Doug” Franzen, Ronald V. LeBeau, Thomas J., Jr. Ranz, D system test bomber spent the bulk of its aircraft’s first X-15 flight and in Best, Albert H. III Fritz, Nicholas H., Jr. Lewis, Kenneth K. Reschke career dropping flight research vehicles November 2004 for the last X-43A Bock, Charles C., Jr. Fullerton, C. Gordon Loewe, William R. Riedena u rather than bombs. flight, and for all of the flights in Bowline, Jerry D. Fulton, Fitzhugh “Fitz” Luck, George E. Schneid e In 1959 it became one of two between,” said Roy Bryant, Dryden’s Branch, Irving “Twig” Goodwin, George W. III Lyddane, George H. “Fas mothership launch aircraft for the X-15 B-52B project manager of nearly 30 Buker, Russell S. Harper, Earle D. Lynch, George P., Jr. Scobee, program, which paved the way for years. “Pride, dedication and innovation Burgenheim, Miles E. Heaton, Robert R. Mallick, Donald R. Skabo, P America’s early manned space flight have been the key elements of the Butchart, Stanley P. Hinds, Bruce J., Jr. Manke, John A. Small, J o

4 NASA Dryden X-Press December 31, 2004 Focus

EC01 084-5 NASA Photo by Jim Ross Above, the NB-52 casts a command- ing shadow over An- telope Valley skies.

Main photo, far left, Dryden pilot John Manke (later a Dryden Center Director) waves to the NB-52B crew after a successful research mission in which the “mothership” airlaunched the M2-F3. The lifting body aircraft vali- dated an airframe shape that would later influence design of the Space Shuttles.

EC88 008-2 NASA Photo The NB-52B airlaunched the parachute test vehicle that helped develop improvements to the NASA Photo F-111 crew escape system wwworkhorseorkhorseorkhorse NB-52BNB-52BNB-52B people who maintained this vintage Shuttle landings. With the arrival of the aircraft to support the many projects that Shuttle era, NASA 008 dropped Shuttle 2B missions hit the mark have kept the United States at the solid rocket booster test vehicles in order forefront of aerospace development for to test the booster recovery parachute try, Thomas C. Smith, Rogers E. Fox, Jeff (X-38) the past 45 years.” system. During the early 1990s, the ell, Edward D. Smolka, James W. “Smoke” Henry, Jerry (F-15 SRV, DAST, Since the end of the X-15 program in aircraft kicked up plumes of dust on John Snyder, Cecil O. HiMAT) 1969, NASA 008 has supported virtually Rogers Dry Lake wringing out the , Richard L. Stroup, Floyd B. Horton, Victor W. (HL-10, M2-F2, all of NASA’s aeronautical research Shuttle’s new drag chute system. Robert L. Sturmthal, Emil “Ted” M2-F3, X-24A, X-24B, SRB PTV) programs requiring airlaunch, and some One of the more memorable missions , Axel P. Townsend, Guy M. McAllister, Dave (X-43A) research missions that didn’t. for Bryant was a day in 1978 that one of Brian Vanderhorst, Daniel R. Minnick, Brian (X-43A) The Space Shuttle owes several design the Shuttle solid rocket booster test Dana D. Wood, William E., Jr. Moise, John W. “Jack” (X-15) characteristics and later refinements to vehicles didn’t drop on command. ale M. Muratore, John (X-38) NASA 008. B-52 launch panel operator Ray e, William G., Jr. NB-52B Launch Neal, Brad (Pegasus, X-43A) Beginning in the mid-1960s, NASA Young reported that his lights indicated uer, Robert L. Panel Operators Obrien, Harold (F-15 SRV, HiMAT) 008 carried aloft several types of lifting the hooks holding the vehicle had er, Edward T. Anderson, Brian (X-38) Peterson, Bruce A. (X-15) body aircraft over a 10-year period. These opened, even though the vehicle t Eddie” Berkowitz, William “Bill” (X-15) Pomeroy, John (X-43A) wingless wonders demonstrated the remained attached to the pylon. Pilot Francis R. “Dick” Butchart, Stanley P. (X-15) Reed, Don (X-38) controlled flight without wings and Fitz Fulton tried maneuvering the Paul S. Currie, Alan (X-38) precision landing without power that ohn T., Jr. Dustin, Allen F. (X-15) See Key people, page 7 proved the viability of gliding Space See Retire, page 7

NASA Dryden X-Press 5 Research Roundup December 31, 2004 DC-8DC-8 completescompletes AlaskanAlaskan missionmission

By Beth Hagenauer agencies and industry of potential ash Dryden Public Affairs eruptions.” NASA’s DC-8 traveled to frosty Alaska AirSAR acquired data that will be used in November to study active volcanoes, to derive an accurate digital elevation the Hubbard glacier, forests and sea ice. model of the Hubbard glacier, which has Using the NASA Jet Propulsion been advancing since it was first mapped Laboratory’s Airborne Synthetic Aperture in 1898, enabling scientists to assess its Radar (AirSAR), digital elevation models mass. were taken that will allow scientists to New data captured by AirSAR during evaluate landscape changes and assess the 2004 study will be compared to similar volcanic hazards. data taken during 1988, to assess possible The Alaska AirSAR 2004 study began changes in recent climate patterns. in September but the mission was delayed Scientists have gathered biophysical when the aircraft sustained damage during information of forest study sites from the takeoff at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Kenai Peninsula to Northern Alaska’s Anchorage. Brooks Range to use in comparing Making the trek to Alaska during winter vegetation at the study sites to that of weather conditions proved a challenge for surrounding areas. the Dryden-based Lockheed maintenance Chris Miller, Dryden’s DC-8 mission crew. In addition to being prepared to de- EC04 0047-11 NASA Photo by Tony Landis manager, credited Airborne Science ice the aircraft – a procedure that’s rarely personnel for the success of the mission, called for at the aircraft’s home base in The DC-8 – bearing its Dryden paint scheme – flies a mission in 2004. The research aircraft recently returned from a mission in Alaska. noting that some went beyond the call of Southern California – two crewmembers duty and made heroic efforts to complete stayed with the DC-8 to keep both plane Durden, AirSAR manager at JPL in professor at the Geophysical Institute, the study in difficult weather. and onboard instrumentation warm during Pasadena. University of Alaska at Fairbanks. “These The Alaska study was funded by the cold Alaska night. “The volcanoes – Veniaminof, volcanoes have the potential of injecting NASA’s science mission directorate. The “The ground crew did a great job in Shishaldin, Westdahl, Cleveland, ash into the troposphere and stratosphere, directorate’s work is focused on getting the aircraft ready under a tight Carlisle, Herbert and Spurr – are among which is of concern to commercial and understanding the Earth as an integrated schedule and in getting us off each the 100 active volcanoes at the higher military aircraft. Studying subtle volcanic system and using Earth system science to morning, on schedule and in less-than- latitudes in the North Pacific region,” changes may eventually improve the improve prediction of climate, weather ideal weather conditions,” said Steve explained Ken Dean, research associate ability to alert the public, government and natural hazards. NB-52B ... from page 3 1979 – The NB-52 served as a large radar target for F-16 targeting studies. 1979-1983 – Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing included four vehicle configurations carried aloft 13 times resulting in six drops. 1979-1983 – Used for the Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology program, where two vehicles were carried aloft 40 times resulting in 26 launches. 1982 – F-111 crew escape system parachute training vehicle second test series included 11 drops. 1983-1985 – Shuttle solid rocket booster drop test vehicle second test series included eight drops. Each research flight of the NB-52B is reflected in markings that appear on its fuselage. Tony Landis, of the Dryden photo lab, 1987-1989 – F-111 crew escape system created this image of the final markings configuration. The top tier of the graphic, nose to wing (right to left), reflects the earliest parachute training vehicle third test missions. The final missions of the NB-52B are on the second tier of the graphic at far left. series included 23 drops. vehicles that were carried aloft 21 times 1989-1994 – The Pegasus expendable resulting in eight drops. The NB-52B launch vehicle involved six vehicles made its 1,000th flight on Sept. 16, carried aloft 13 times. Six launches 1999. The crew consisted of Ed were conducted (five over the Western Schneider, Frank Batteas, and David Test Range and one over the Eastern Dennis. Merri Sanchez, an X-38 launch Test Range). panel operator, became the first woman 1990 – Eight test runs were conducted to fly aboard the NB-52B on June 5, for the Space Shuttle drag chute tests. 1997. 1991-1992 – F-111 crew escape system 2001-2004 – Three X-43A hypersonic parachute training vehicle fourth test research vehicles were carried aloft six series included 15 drops. times resulting in three launches. The 1993-1997 – Supersonic cruise NB-52B made its final research flight emissions environmental studies. The Nov. 16, 2004, including a successful X- program included 33 flights with a 43A launch. The crew consisted of special test fixture that held two J85 C. Gordon Fullerton (pilot), Frank EC88 180-7 NASA Photo engines. Batteas (co-pilot), Brian Minnick (X-43 The NB-52B flies one of 106 missions in the X-15 program, for which the aircraft was 1996 – Interphone system prototype launch panel operator), and Brad Neal originally assigned to Edwards. The aircraft has flown nearly 50 years and was in- tests conducted. (X-43 monitor station operator). strumental in some of the most important research missions in aerospace history. It 1997-2001 – The X-38 Crew Return made its final flight Nov. 16, which, ironically, also involved carrying a hypersonic Vehicle research included three Lakebed Legacies compiled by Peter Merlin vehicle, the X-43A. The NB-52B was retired Dec. 17.

ChemSecure ... from page 3

• Ensuring chemicals are placed in connect the physical world to the management. It’s imperative that access points at the Center and for appropriate and safe locations to avoid information world to improve operations, organizations have the appropriate maintaining full inventory management adverse reactions with other chemicals; and enhance business processes and reduce information infrastructure in place to throughout the facility, extending the • Ensuring that personnel are properly costs,” said Allyson Fryhoff, vice meet these demands.” project’s homeland security aspects. authorized and trained to work with president of Oracle Sensor-Based Dryden is planning a second phase of Additionally, the sensor-based chemicals, to reduce human error. Services. “RFID and other sensor-based the ChemSecure project that will provide technology will track all climate- “The ChemSecure pilot is a great technologies can present many new enhanced features for scrutinizing all controlled chemicals in restricted example of how organizations can challenges regarding information vehicles entering and leaving unguarded environments.

6 NASA Dryden X-Press December 31, 2004 News Retire ... from page 5

aircraft to free the stuck vehicle, but to no avail. “There was a lot of concern that we’d damage the B-52 if it came Key people loose on landing,” Bryant remembers. ... from page 5 Fulton eased the B-52 in for a smooth landing, and the test vehicle held on. Richards, Bob (Pegasus) Over the years the aircraft launched Russell, John “Jack” (X-15, HL- various experimental fixtures, such as 10, M2-F3, X-24A, X-24B, F-15 the FB-111 crew capsule, and advanced SRV) remotely piloted vehicles like the F-15 Sanchez, Merri J. (X-38) Spin Research Vehicle, both for the Air Young, Ray O. (X-24B, F-15 SRV, Force. Firebee, DAST, HiMAT, F-111 PTV) Maintenance crews over the years grew fond of the aircraft, treating it NASA NB-52B more like a classic car than an old Crew Chiefs bomber. Double-0-eight’s crews kept it (1976-2004) ship-shape, seldom failing to have the aircraft ready for a mission – not that Glynn H. Hall the old bird didn’t balk occasionally at Charles D. Guilinger the prospect. Daniel J. Bain Always reliable, NASA 008’s long Michael D. Bondy career ended as historically as it began, Kenneth Wilson launching the last hypersonic X-43A scramjet-powered research vehicle on List compiled by Peter Merlin Nov. 16, 2004, to nearly Mach 10, a record speed for airbreathing aircraft. museum wall documenting every EC04 0027-74 NASA Photo by Tony Landis A hieroglyphic-like silhouette mission of the aircraft’s flight through representing the last research mission, history. Crew Chief Mike Bondy, center, talks with Joe Kinn as Dyncorp’s Charlie Nichols, left, recently painted on by crewmember As NASA 008 flies into the sunset, completes another task on X-43A flight day, Nov. 16. Following the NB-52’s successful Monty Hodges, joined others on the its legacy continues to soar into the completion of the X-43A project and the NB-52B’s retirement Dec. 17, Bondy retired aircraft’s starboard fuselage, a virtual future. Thanks for the ride, 008. Jan. 3.

EC01 0339-33 NASA Photo by Carla Thomas

Above, the NB-52B was used in the successful 2001 airlaunch of the X-38 Crew Re- turn Vehicle prototype. By using a parafoil (guided parachute), the X-38 program tested the concept of making short precision landings with lifting body-shaped aircraft.

At right, the big bird on a rare snowy day at Dryden. ECN 32107 NASA Photo

EC04 0323-112 NASA Photo by Tony Landis

Above, night crewmembers, from left, Ade Gordon, Clinton St. John, Shane Wilson and Gary Pacewitz look over the X-43A under the wing of the NB-52B.

At left, from left, in a 2001 photo, mechanic Bob Cummings, Crew Chief Dan Bain, and EC00 239-24 NASA Photo by Tony Landis Sam Groce work to secure a bolt that attached the X-38 pylon to the wing of the NB-52B.

NASA Dryden X-Press 7 Decmber 31, 2004 News NB-52B ... from page 1 airplane accelerating at some fast speed. Then we would listen to the rest of the flight on the radio,” he said. Gordon Fullerton, current Dryden chief pilot, told the crowd he’ll miss flying the historic aircraft. “Ed mentioned when he first came up here that this is a celebration. It’s a sad day – more like a funeral than a celebration – to realize that I’m not likely to crawl in 008 and go out for another flight,” he said. Fullerton, a former astronaut, said he came to Dryden in late 1986 and on March 10, 1987, flew with Don Mallick for Fullerton’s first flight on the NB-52B. Fullerton has been involved in many flights since then as project pilot, flying most of the missions involving the big bird. Frank Batteas and Dana Purifoy also were qualified to fly the NB-52B. Maintenance crews are the real heroes of the NB-52B’s lore and were called on to resurrect it on more than one occasion to fly a mission. After one four-year layoff, the NB-52B was restored so it could carry the parachute test vehicle that was “a big, orange 3,500-pound box that fit nicely in EC04 0363-11 NASA Photo by Tom Tschida the bomb bay,” Fullerton said. That “box” helped to develop improvements to the Above, former Dryden research pilot Ed Schneider takes the podium to share memories about the NB-52B. Also on hand to salute F-111 crew escape system. Fullerton the aircraft were, seated from left, Dryden Center Director Kevin Petersen, Air Force Flight Test Center Commander Brig. Gen. Curtis Bedke, former Dryden pilot Fitzhugh L. “Fitz” Fulton Jr., Dryden Chief Pilot Gordon Fullerton, and AFFTC Historian James identified Mike Bondy and Gary Beard as Young. Below, Fullerton, left, and Fulton share a handshake under the fuselage of the venerable aircraft. key figures in returning the aircraft to flight ability to fly in and out of the status. atmosphere.” The aircraft “goes out on Fulton recalled a NB-52B Pegasus top” just a month removed from a mission that succeeded despite unusual successful X-43A airlaunch, he added. circumstances. Petersen also thanked Matt Graham, Four launches were made on the West Larry Harper, Monte Hodges and Tony Coast, off Monterey, Calif. The fifth was Landis for cleaning up the aircraft’s scheduled to depart from Kennedy Space unique markings to ensure its mission Center, Fla. The first attempt on that mission history endures forever. didn’t get past Barstow. After a fin problem “But time waits for no man or occurred, the research bird returned to machine,” Petersen said. The NB-52B, he Dryden. Finally at Kennedy, the NB-52B noted, was the only JP4-fueled aircraft (at mission called for release of the Pegasus at Edwards) – making its situation the the altitude from which the BrazilSat equivalent of finding leaded gas for an satellite was to be launched into orbit. automobile. In addition, old aircraft parts “Bill Albrecht, the operations engineer could be replaced only by old aircraft on the airplane for many, many years, was parts, making regular maintenance a the controller and he was in the control challenge. room, which was up at Wallops (Flight Vince Fong, from the office of U.S. Facility, Wallops Island, Va.),” Fulton Rep. William “Bill” Thomas (R-22nd related. “He was the man we talked to. Jim Dist.) read an acknowledgement of the Smolka was with me, and we got up higher EC04 0363-07 NASA Photo by Tony Landis aircraft’s successes, which had been entered than I had ever gotten with a heavy payload. was hollering ‘abort! abort! abort!’ But “At the time (it came off the production by Thomas into the congressional record I was patting myself on the back when we they were hollering on a com line), I’d wager, no one could have on the day of the Dryden ceremonies. The staggered up to 46,000 feet, thinking that (communications) loop that Bill wasn’t conceived that this airplane would have a aircraft will have a prominent position at was really good. We got a call a couple plugged into. That incident is classic now remarkable 49-and-a-half-year career,” the Edwards north gate and eventually will minutes before launch: ‘No, no you’re too on these (training) courses that have been Young said. “In fact, several times during be joined by other historic aircraft that make high – go down,’ so we descended. Then presented by several firms on how not to that span of those 49 years there were many Edwards home to some of the world’s most we got the call from Bill: ‘3, 2, 1 – launch!’ do control room ops. The good news is, people who said its service life was over.” exotic experimental aircraft and early We threw the switch and the rocket went the rocket did fine and the call didn’t Some of the NB-52B’s assignments production models. off and launched the satellite. really need to be made. The desired orbit included carrying lifting body aircraft, Air Force Flight Test Center Brig. Gen. “It was after landing we found out (that) was obtained and it all came out well including the HL-10, M2-F2, M2-F3, Curtis Bedke concluded the event, saying, at the time we heard ‘3, 2, 1 – launch,’ all despite the confusion in the control X-24A and X-24B; carrying drones for “I am sad and thrilled to receive ‘Balls 8’ the rest of the control room behind Bill room,” he concluded. Aerodynamic and Structural Testing; (as it is known, for its tail number, zero- U.S. Air Force Historian James Young Highly Maneuverable Aircraft zero-eight) from NASA. We always hate confirmed that the NB-52B participated Technology missions; tests for parachute to see an old explorer retired, but we’re in more aviation history than any other recovery for Space Shuttle solid liquid also thrilled that her final flight was how airplane. The eighth production model boosters and drag chute deployment it should be – a research flight.” The X-Press is published for civil ser B-52B was first flown June 11, 1955. The systems; and carrying Pegasus and X-38 Special thanks to Peter Merlin, Dryden vants, contractors, retirees and people aircraft was exclusively used for flight prototype spacecraft. history office, and Tony Landis, Dryden photo with interest in the work of the Dryden research and dropped only research Center Director Kevin Petersen said the lab, for their contributions to the NB-52B Flight Research Center. aircraft, he added. work by NB-52B “shaped our collective coverage. Editor: Jay Levine, AS&M, ext. 3459 PRSRT STD Assistant Editor: Sarah Merlin, National Aeronautics and U.S. POSTAGE PAID AS&M, ext. 2128 Space Administration NASA PERMIT #G27 Managing Editor: Michael Gorn, NASA

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