Message posted by Peter Merlin on March 23, 2011 at 19:51:03 PST:
The Hypersonic Combined Test Force is hoping for a break in the weather that would allow a launch of the second X-51A Scramjet Engine Demonstrator. Thursday is the final opportunity in this week's "launch window." Mission rules specify that the X-51A can not be flown through any visible moisture on the way to the launch point because it might adversely affect the vehicle's ablative coating. I had an opportunity to walk around the X-51A with the CTF commander. Despite late afternoon rain storms, the ground crew was hard at work preparing the experimental craft and its venerable B-52 "mothership" for tomorrow's flight opportunity. Stenciled on the side of the interstage that connects the X-51A to its rocket booster were the words, "In dedication to Dae Hyun Kim," a Boeing engineer. NASA will provide two F-18 chase planes for the mission.
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