Engineers at NASA Armstrong are developing a prototype, twin-fuselage towed glider that could lead to rockets being launched from pilotless aircraft at high altitudes—a technology application that could significantly reduce cost and improve efficiency of sending small satellites into space. The towed glider is an element of the novel rocket-launching concept of the Towed Glider Air-Launch System (TGALS) that will provide proof-of-concept of a towed, airborne launch platform. On Friday Jan. 23, the team tested a single-fuselage version of the glider to validate a new onboard video system. They also tested the aircraft’s ability to fly at higher altitudes and for longer periods of time. During the series of flight tests the glider reached a maximum height of 8,000 ft. For more information on TGALS visit: go.usa.gov/S39x
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 20:56:58 +0000
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