SSRT: 2nd and Possible 3rd Flight of DC-XA Set for June 7

["L. Parker" <lparker@gnt.net>]

>Return-Path: chrisj@mail.utexas.edu
>From: chrisj@mail.utexas.edu (Chris W. Johnson)
>To: "Single Stage Rocket Technology News" <ssrt-news@zimbazi.cc.utexas.edu>
>Subject: SSRT: 2nd and Possible 3rd Flight of DC-XA Set for June 7
>Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 17:51:00 -0600
>Sender: listserv@zimbazi.cc.utexas.edu
>X-listname: <ssrt-news@zimbazi.cc.utexas.edu>
>
>
>Items in this message:
>
>  1. A note from the SSRT list administrator/archivist (me).
>  2. Information on DC-XA flights 2 and (possibly) 3.
>  3. Correction regarding the DC-XA landing pad.
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>Dear Readers:
>
>Several readers kindly sent me corrections regarding the landing pad used
>in the first DC-XA flight, as mentioned in Space Access Update no. 64.
>(That update stated that DC-XA was still landing on a concrete slab, which
>was incorrect. See the final item in this message for Henry Vanderbilt's
>correction.) While I appreciated the excellent information several people
>provided, there seemed to be a common misconception that *I* was the author
>of the Space Access Update. Since this misunderstanding has cropped-up
>before, I'd like to make sure everyone understands that I am *not* the
>author of the vast majority of the material distributed on this mailing
>list and stored on the archive. That's why the attribution for the items
>redistributed on this list is *always* preserved at beginning of each item.
>So, check those attributions when responding, or the actual author probably
>won't get your message. (Please feel free to co-copy me on such messages,
>of course.)
>
>I wish I had the kind of information to pass along that people like Henry
>do, but that's not the case. As such my role in SSRT/SSTO/X-33 advocacy for
>the last 3.5 years has merely been to collect the best information I can
>find from people like Henry Vanderbilt & the Space Access Society, Henry
>Spencer, Allen Sherzer, etc., store it all in the FTP/Web archive, and
>relay it to people via this mailing list.
>
>Having said all that, I'd like to add that if any readers want to send me
>information (whether it be news, corrections, etc.) for possible inclusion
>in the archive and relay to this list, I'd be happy to receive it. Make
>sure you explicity state that I can pass along the information you've
>provided, and if you'd prefer to remain anonymous, state that as well so
>I'll know to remove all references to the source of the information. (BTW,
>please suggest an attribution for the material like "sources close to the
>program", "knowledgeable sources", etc.) As mentioned earlier, I received
>some excellent information as corrections to SAU 64, but I couldn't pass it
>along becase I was unable to get the actual sources to consent to its
>redistribution.
>
>----Chris
>
>Chris W. Johnson
>
>Email: chrisj@mail.utexas.edu
>URL:   http://gargravarr.cc.utexas.edu/
>
>"It is only now beginning to dawn on us that an American city with its
>immense freeway and parking infrastructure resembles not so much a city
>of the 21st century as a city which has suffered saturation bombing."
>--Wolfgang Zuckermann
>
>
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>
>From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
>Newsgroups: sci.space.news
>Subject: 2nd and Possible 3rd Flight of Delta Clipper Set for June 7
>Date: 3 Jun 1996 13:46:36 -0700
>Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
>Lines: 57
>
>James Cast
>Headquarters, Washington, DC                   June 3, 1996
>(Phone: 202/358-1779)
>
>David Drachlis
>Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
>(Phone:  205/544-0034)
>
>NOTE TO EDITORS:  N96-37
>
>SECOND AND POSSIBLE THIRD FLIGHT OF DELTA CLIPPER SET FOR JUNE 7
>
>     The second in a series of five test flights planned for
>NASAÕs Delta Clipper-Experimental Advanced (DC-XA) single-
>stage rocket is scheduled for10 a.m. EDT on Friday, June 7 at
>the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. If conditions
>permit, a third flight of the DC-XA may be attempted,
>possibly as early as eight hours after completion of the
>second flight in the test series.  A decision to attempt that
>additional flight will be made about four hours after
>completion of the scheduled second test.
>
>     The DC-XA, developed by McDonnell Douglas Aerospace and
>NASA under a cooperative agreement as part of the Reusable
>Launch Vehicle Technology Program, successfully completed its
>first test flight on May 18.
>
>     Media representatives may cover the tests by requesting
>accreditation from the White Sands Missile Range Public
>Affairs Office by either facsimile (505/678-7174) or calling
>(505/678-1134). Media representatives already accredited must
>still register in advance to ensure adequate transportation
>to the test site.  Media planning to view the test flight
>must be at Bldg. 122 by 7:30 a.m. EDT on flight day.
>
>     On Thursday, June 6, media will have an opportunity to
>photograph the DC-XA on its launch pad and interview program
>managers.  Media wishing to participate in this event must
>report to the Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 122, by 2:45 p.m. EDT.
>
>     At 7 p.m. EDT June 6, a pre-flight briefing will be held
>in the San Rafael Room of the Hilton Hotel in Las Cruces, New
>Mexico.  Officials from NASA, McDonnell Douglas Aerospace,
>the U.S. Air Force Phillips Laboratory, and White Sands
>Missile Range will participate.
>
>     The DC-XA flight will be carried live on NASA Television
>beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m. EDT. A post-flight media
>briefing will air approximately 30 minutes after the flight.
>
>      NASA Television is carried on C-band, Spacenet 2,
>Transponder 5, Channel 9 at 69 degrees west longitude.   The
>transponder frequency is 3880 Mhz and the audio subcarrier is
>6.8 Mhz.
>
>                    -end-
>
>
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>
>From: hvanderbilt@BIX.com (hvanderbilt on BIX)
>Newsgroups: sci.space.policy
>Subject: Re: DC-XA landing pad?
>Date: 25 May 96 20:17:55 GMT
>Organization: Delphi Internet Services Corporation
>Lines: 41
>
>RE the following, yes, it turns out they did indeed build a grating-over-pit
>into the DC-X landing pad over the winter, and they did indeed land last
>Saturday's first DC-XA flight on it - and apparently found that the new
>pad arrangement did some unexpected things to the rocket blast as the
>ship landed.  More on that in the next Update, RSN...
>
>This is what I get for still being in DC when I could have been at WSMR
>walking the site the Thursday before - I'm sure I would have asked what's
>under that tarp on the landing pad...  Anyone know where I can lease a
>TARDIS, cheap?
>
>           Henry Vanderbilt  hvanderbilt@bix.com
>
>kingdon@harvey.cyclic.com (Jim Kingdon) writes:
>
>>> I don't get it--I read on the White Sands Operations page that they
>>> have been building a landing pad for the DC-XA that has a steel
>>> grating over a flame pit.  Wouldn't this deflect the landing exhaust
>>> away from the vehicle?  Is the pad not completed, did they not use it,
>>> or did it not work?
>
>>Hmm.  For those who didn't see this, the page is
>>http://rlv.msfc.nasa.gov/rlv_htmls/WSRpt.html and the relevant excerpt
>>is:
>
>>    Accomplishments
>>    April 9, 1996 through April 22, 1996
>
>>    . . .
>
>>    WSTF is nearing completion of the modification of
>>    the landing pad. Recently completed activities
>>    include installation and leveling of the support
>>    columns, I-beams and grating sections. When
>>    completed, the steel grating will act as the landing
>>    target zone for the DC-XA. This modification is
>>    intended to deflect away from the flight vehicle a
>>    large percentage of the engine exhaust that rebounds
>>    during landing. This will significantly reduce the
>>    severe thermal and erosive environment experienced
>>    during landing by the DC-X.
>
>
>
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+                                                                             +
+  Weave a circle 'round him thrice, and close your eyes with holy dread...   +
+                                                                             +
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