Special Edition | May 29, 2004
X-Press Special Edition
11 Seconds into the Unknown, Entering the Hypersonic Frontier.
![11 Seconds into the Unknown, Flight of the X43A.](/peth04/20041027205357im_/http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Newsroom/X-Press/special_editions/X-43A/images/052804/cover-200.jpg) |
Cover design by Jay Levine
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When the X-43A successfully completed its mission March
27 it marked the beginning of a new era in hypersonics
research.
Counterclockwise from bottom left, the cover of this
special edition features the aircraft on the ground
under the wing of its host NB-52B with crew members
(clockwise from bottom) Mark Davis and Dale Edminister
of NASA and Boeing's Duoc Tran. The next frame shows
the "stack's" air launch from the NB-52B mothership.
The booster portion of the stack ignites, center, and
finally, a combination of explosive bolts and pistons
on the rocket booster sends the X-43A on its way to
a successful flight (top three panels).
This special edition is a tribute to the X-43A, to
the pioneers of hypersonic research and to the men and
women who make it all happen.
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Inside This Edition
Forging New Frontiers
X-43A 101
Exploring the
Hypersonic Realm
From the Beginning
Preparing for
Success
Practice Makes
Perfect
Readying for
Flight 3
A Song for Unsung
Heroes
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