Feb 10 1984
From The Space Library
Inflight refueling tests on the NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft had been suspended following a series of preliminary flights intended to check potential buffeting and turbulence levels on the specially equipped widebodied jet, NASA reported. The aircraft carrier with its orbiter cargo was required to travel at low altitude and to avoid bad weather, so it could not travel long distances without frequent stops. Therefore, NASA had hoped to develop air-borne refueling techniques that would reduce the number of landings required to travel coast to coast or to international locations.
The preliminary tests had the 747 without the orbiter flying behind two tanker aircraft-first a KC-135 and then a KC-10. Heavy turbulence encountered in the vortices of the tanker aircraft had produced minor cracks in the tail of the 747. Although the cracks were of no serious concern, NASA had decided to suspend the flight tests and to investigate an alternative refueling technique that allowed the 747 carrier to fly in front of the tanker aircraft. If the alternative approach proved feasible, it could likely be adopted with little or no additional flight testing with the carrier aircraft. (JSC Release 84-007)
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