On Dec. 22, 1966, the HL-10 Lifting Body took its first flight. The HL-10 was a heavy-lifting, horizontal landing aircraft constructed by the Northrop Corporation. The “HL” in its name represents “heavy lifting,” and the “10” suggests that this was the tenth style in the series. The $1.8 million aircraft was delivered to NASAs Langley Research Center in Virginia in January of 1966. NASA research study pilot Bill Dana sees NASAs NB-52B overhead after a flight in the HL-10 lifting body. The HL-10 was among five lifting body designs flown at NASAs Dryden Flight Research Center in California, from 1966-1975 to study maneuvering and landing a low lift-over-drag car created for reentry from area. (Image credit: NASA) Nearly a year later, Bruce Peterson piloted the plane for its inaugural flight. He took it for an unpowered glide test flight over Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The HL-10 had major control issues. But Peterson was able to land it safely. Engineers later on figured out that the issue could be resolved by altering the shape of the fins. The 2nd HL-10 flight didnt remove till 1968, but the HL-10 was a lot easier to pilot after its style was tweaked.Catch up on our entire “On This Day In Space” series on YouTube with this playlist. On This Day in Space Archive! Still insufficient area? Dont forget to have a look at our Space Image of the Day, and on the weekends our Best Space Photos and Top Space News Stories of the week. Email Hanneke Weitering at [email protected] or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
The HL-10 was a heavy-lifting, horizontal landing plane built by the Northrop Corporation. NASA research study pilot Bill Dana views NASAs NB-52B overhead after a flight in the HL-10 lifting body. The HL-10 was one of five lifting body styles flown at NASAs Dryden Flight Research Center in California, from 1966-1975 to study maneuvering and landing a low lift-over-drag lorry created for reentry from area.