Concept wingless aircrafts NASA "M2-F1»

In the middle of the last century, the issue of human flight at very high speeds was highly relevant. Americans from NASA started developing the project "M2-F1» in the early 50s, but only received financial support in 1962.

The people, the project "M2-F1» called "flying bathtub." The first flight of this lightweight on 16 August 1963, and three years later the same day, was the last. The cost price of one copy is $ 30 000. Its main purpose in the future, the developers saw the use of "M2-F1» as a capsule landing astronauts. Incidentally, the casing of this device was made of steel, aluminum and mahogany. Moreover, the "M2-F1» missing engine. Since no and wings, the radius of the possible landing apparatus as capsules, was significantly greater than the area of ​​Germany. Tests were conducted in two forms: the rise from the ground (towing vehicle) and flying (towing aircraft). There were performed 77 flights and 400 lifts off the ground. In the future, this project has become an important research to create a series of shuttles.
















































Photo by NASA