Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE)
The NASA SR-71A successfully completed its first cold flow flight as part of the NASA/Rocketdyne/Lockheed Martin Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center (now NASA Armstrong), Edwards, California on March 4, 1998. During a cold flow flight, gaseous helium and liquid nitrogen were cycled through the linear aerospike engine to check the engine's plumbing system for leaks and to check the engine operating characteristics. Cold-flow tests had to be accomplished successfully before firing the rocket engine experiment in flight. The SR-71 flew for one hour and fifty-seven minutes, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 1.58 on this flight.
Learn more about the LASRE Project flights in 1997 and 1998
Credit: NASA/Carla Thomas
Image Number: EC98-44440-4
Date: March 4, 1998
Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE)
The NASA SR-71A successfully completed its first cold flow flight as part of the NASA/Rocketdyne/Lockheed Martin Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center (now NASA Armstrong), Edwards, California on March 4, 1998. During a cold flow flight, gaseous helium and liquid nitrogen were cycled through the linear aerospike engine to check the engine's plumbing system for leaks and to check the engine operating characteristics. Cold-flow tests had to be accomplished successfully before firing the rocket engine experiment in flight. The SR-71 flew for one hour and fifty-seven minutes, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 1.58 on this flight.
Learn more about the LASRE Project flights in 1997 and 1998
Credit: NASA/Carla Thomas
Image Number: EC98-44440-4
Date: March 4, 1998