Wed, Dec 15, 2004
NASA's Famed B-52B "Mothership" Officially Retires This
Friday
The end of an era in aerospace history will be marked this
Friday, Dec. 17, when NASA retires its venerable B-52B "mothership"
heavy-lift launch aircraft.
Having launched advanced flight research vehicles over a lengthy
career spanning nearly a half century, the venerable air-launch
aircraft is being decommissioned in formal ceremonies at NASA's
Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
Jointly hosted by the Air Force Flight Test Center and NASA
Dryden, the observance will begin at 10 a.m. PST and will include a
formal transfer of the B-52B by NASA Dryden center director Kevin
Petersen to Brig. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke, commander of the Air Force
Flight Test Center, for its final disposition. Several present and
former pilots of the aircraft, including NASA research pilots
Gordon Fullerton, Fitz Fulton and Ed Schneider, and Air Force
Flight Test Center historian Dr. James Young will also participate
in the retirement program.
Operated by NASA Dryden for most of its lifetime, the
eight-engine aircraft has participated in some of the most
significant projects in aerospace history, ranging from launching
the X-15 rocket planes of the 1960s to the hypersonic
scramjet-powered X-43A of the 21st century. At retirement, the
historic aircraft holds the distinction of being NASA's oldest
aircraft, as well as being the oldest B-52 still flyable. Tentative
plans call for placing the aircraft on permanent display at Edwards
AFB.
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