This is an account of the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's direct and indirect contributions to the development of reusable spacecraft, leading to the shuttle. It examines antecedents to the space shuttle flown at the Center, work done after the shuttle was chosen as the first commercial reusable launch vehicle, as well as work done over the three decades NASA operated the shuttle to sustain the program. Topics include Reaction Control Systems, the X-15, the first simulations of...
More DescriptionThis is an account of the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's direct and indirect contributions to the development of reusable spacecraft, leading to the shuttle. It examines antecedents to the space shuttle flown at the Center, work done after the shuttle was chosen as the first commercial reusable launch vehicle, as well as work done over the three decades NASA operated the shuttle to sustain the program. Topics include Reaction Control Systems, the X-15, the first simulations of exo-atmospheric flight, lifting bodies, testing thermal protection systems, tire tests, as well as the role the Air Force played at Edwards AFB during landings.