NASA has successfully flight-tested a prototype twin-fuselage towed glider that could lead to rockets being launched from pilotless aircraft at high altitudes a technology application that could significantly reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of sending small satellites into space. The first flights of the one-third-scale twin fuselage towed glider took place Oct. 21 from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.

The towed glider is an element of the novel rocket-launching concept of the Towed Glider Air-Launch System, or TGALS. NASA Armstrong researchers are developing the project, which is funded as a part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development program.

The 27-foot-wingspan towed glider was towed behind the Dryden Remotely Operated Integrated Drone, or DROID, unmanned aircraft into the blue skies above Edwards Air Force Base. Minutes later the towline was released and the twin fuselage aircraft glided to a perfect landing on the dry lakebed. After reviewing wind conditions and checking the systems of both aircraft, mission managers decided to go for a second flight. As with the first, the glider was towed behind the DROID, leveled out in flight and the glider was released for another free flight to the dry lakebed. "We had a really good first flight," said John Kelly, TGALS project manager. "Both aircraft performed well."

"It flies fantastic," said Robert "Red" Jensen (pictured, below, standing), who piloted the dual-fuselage glider. "There were no squawks."

The goal is to build confidence with the aircraft and with tow operations before the final element an experimental rocket payload is mated with the glider and ultimately launched from the glider after its release from the DROID.

Gerald Budd, who for about three years has conceptualized and sought funding for the concept, piloted the DROID during the test flight and was pleased that the project had a successful first test flight. "It was surreal to watch it fly after all work it took to get here," Budd said.

If the project continues to succeed, Budd believes the ultimate goal would be to build a relatively inexpensive remotely or optionally piloted glider that will be towed aloft by a transport aircraft. Following release at about 40,000 feet, the glider would launch a booster rocket into an optimal trajectory to place its payload into low Earth orbit.

The glider was built primarily with commercial-off-the-shelf components, but some parts were manufactured at NASA Armstrongs Fabrication Branch. Assembly was accomplished in NASA Armstrong's Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Lab, or model shop. In January, flights confirmed that towing and releasing a single-fuselage version of the aircraft by the DROID tow plane functioned as expected. The recent flights confirmed the dual-fuselage version also is airworthy.

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Towed Twin-Fuselage Glider Launch System First Test Flight Successful