XLR-12

XLR-12 is a liquid rocket engine developed by Reaction Motors. It was used in the X-15 hypersonic research program, which was a series of 199 powered flights conducted by NASA and the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1968.

Development[edit | edit source]

The XLR-12 was developed by Reaction Motors, a company that was later acquired by Thiokol. The engine was designed to be used in the X-15, a hypersonic research aircraft. The X-15 was a joint program between NASA and the United States Air Force, and it was designed to investigate the effects of hypersonic flight on aircraft and pilots.

Design[edit | edit source]

The XLR-12 is a liquid rocket engine that uses anhydrous ammonia and liquid oxygen as propellants. The engine has four combustion chambers, each of which can be throttled independently. This allows the pilot to control the thrust of the engine and the direction of the aircraft. The engine is capable of producing a thrust of 57,000 pounds-force (250 kN).

Use[edit | edit source]

The XLR-12 was used in the X-15 hypersonic research program. The X-15 made a total of 199 powered flights, reaching speeds of up to Mach 6.7 and altitudes of up to 107.8 kilometers. The data collected during these flights has been used to design and develop later aircraft and spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The XLR-12 and the X-15 program have had a significant impact on the field of aerospace engineering. The data collected during the X-15 flights has been used in the design and development of later aircraft and spacecraft, and the XLR-12 engine itself has been used as a model for later rocket engines.

XLR-12 Resources
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