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NASA’s Dryden Research Aircraft

The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located inside Edwards Air Force Base, is an aeronautical research center operated by NASA. On March 26, 1976 it was named in honor of the late Hugh L. Dryden, a prominent aeronautical engineer who at the time of his death in 1965 was NASA’s deputy administrator. First known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Muroc Flight Test Unit, the DFRC has also been known as the High-Speed Flight Research Station (1949) and the High-Speed Flight Station (1954). Dryden is NASA’s premier site for aeronautical research and operates some of the most advanced aircraft in the world. It is also the home of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747 designed to carry a Space Shuttle orbiter back to Kennedy Space Center if one lands at Edwards. Kevin Petersen is currently the Center’s Director. Until 2004, Dryden operated the oldest B-52 Stratofortress bomber, a B-52B model (tail number 008) which had been converted to drop test aircraft, dubbed ‘Balls 8.’ It dropped a large number of supersonic test vehicles, ranging from the X-15 to its last research program, the hypersonic X-43A, powered by a Pegasus rocket. It was also the last B-52B still flying, but had the fewest flight hours of any existing B-52 bomber. The aircraft was retired and will eventually find a permanent home at the North Gate of Edwards; a fitting location for an aircraft that was arguably the greatest contributor to aerospace and flight test development.

Duration : 0:6:25


[youtube EYcRzMw3ZyI]

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 12th, 2009 at 1:36 pm and is filed under aerospace nasa. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

22 Responses to “NASA’s Dryden Research Aircraft”

  1. At the two minute …
    At the two minute mark, that is the autonomous aerial refueling demonstration airplane.
    It refueld without the pilot controlling.
    NASA is great!!!!!!

  2. THAT’o NeDr. David …
    THAT’o NeDr. David EaglemanCoastrains
    NASA’s Dryden Research AircraftTo 3:23 g
    THAT’o NeDr. David EaglemanCoastrains

  3. nice video ! ^^
    nice video ! ^^

  4. That’s really, …
    That’s really, really nice. You applied just the right flavor of tunes to the imagery of the progress of sophisticated aircraft development. Fine work. You do this professionally, right?

  5. nice vid thx
    nice vid thx

  6. I enjoyed the video …
    I enjoyed the video, thanks for uploading it for us.

  7. great!
    great!

  8. oohh
    i find
    i …
    oohh
    i find
    i close sreach found website name
    Nasa Dryden gallery collection
    got video file too
    thx

  9. They are from NASA …
    They are from NASA Dryen website…. sorry don’t have the link. The song is “Faith In The Heartland” by Journey

  10. XB-70 the biggest …
    XB-70 the biggest supersonic bomber
    if the plane plane are entering the airforce
    it will cost mullti bilion $ to goverment

  11. whare u get the …
    whare u get the video collection Nasa NASA’s Dryden Research Aircraft???
    if from the internet can you give the URL pls
    what is the name for the song??

  12. Thanks!!:-D
    Thanks!!:-D

  13. yes that is the XB- …
    yes that is the XB-70!! :-D

  14. Is that the XB 70 …
    Is that the XB 70 Valkyrie taking off at 3:19? I’ve only ever seen grounded photo’s(in a hanger) of it & didn’t know it actually flew until today(not that I had much interest in it until now), but if it is then cool.

  15. Thank you for the …
    Thank you for the kind words. I am glad you enjoy this video! :-)

  16. Dear Sir
    I am old …
    Dear Sir
    I am old school DOB 1949
    This video is inspiring to the point that it makes me believe that the younger generations can and will carry on our national self esteem
    Star and stripes forever
    Thank you nanaimo 757

  17. thank you for the …
    thank you for the kind words!!! :-D

  18. Definitely one of …
    Definitely one of the best Youtube videos I’ve ever seen!!!!!

    Keep making these amazing videos!!!! :)

  19. thank you!! Glad …
    thank you!! Glad you liked it!! :-)

  20. Damn good video …
    good video with utterly the right choice of music!

    I salute you Youtuber!

  21. The name of the …
    The name of the song is “Faith In The Heartland” by Journey from the album “Revelation”. There are two versions of this song(different singers and different albums) My Concorde video has the other version which you might prefer. It is from the album “Generations.”

  22. what’s the name of …
    what’s the name of the song in this video? I like it a lot and would like to know what it is so I can get it for my iPod.

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