The Lockheed NF-104A is an American mixed-power, high-performance, supersonic aerospace trainer that served as a low-cost astronaut training vehicle for the North American X-15 and …

Former ARPS students Major Frank Borman, Major Tom McElmurry and William Schweikhard are credited with the NF-104A Aerospace Trainer (AST) idea. The NF-104A, a modification of the …

Dec 6, 2021 · Former ARPS students Maj. Frank Borman, Maj. Tom McElmurry and William Schweikhard are credited with the NF-104A Aerospace Trainer idea. The NF-104A, a …

The NF-104A was a production Starfighter, a Mach 2 interceptor plane, heavily modified with the addition of a liquid-fuel rocket engine at the base of the tail, and reaction-control thrusters to …

Jan 25, 2022 · The Lockheed NF-104A was a mixed power, high performance, supersonic aerospace trainer that served as a low cost astronaut training vehicle for the X-15 and …

Jul 20, 2011 · Under the designation NF-104A and fitted with a 6,000lb LR-121/AR-2 rocket motor, the NF-104A was given the means to zoom climb to 1200,000 ft - literally to the edge of …

Dec 10, 2024 · The zoom climb maneuver was planned to begin with the NF-104A in level flight at 0.85 Mach and 35,000 feet (10,668 meters). The pilot would then accelerate in Military Power …

Fifty-five years ago today, USAF NF-104A (S/N 56-762) crashed to destruction following a rocket-powered zoom to 101,600 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The pilot, USAF Colonel …

Nov 24, 2021 · The NF-104A, a modification of the basic Lockheed F-104A Starfighter with rocket engine and reaction controls. In November 1961, a $5.34 million contract awarded to …

10 December 1963: In an attempt to set a world absolute altitude record, Colonel Charles E. (“Chuck”) Yeager, U.S. Air Force, took a Lockheed NF-104A Starfighter Aerospace Trainer, 56 …