NASA's historic B-52 mothership carried the X-43A and its Pegasus booster rocket on a captive-carry flight from Edwards Air Force Base Jan. 26, 2004.
EC04-0029-17
NASA’s historic B-52 mothership carried the X-43A and its Pegasus booster rocket on a captive-carry flight from Edwards Air Force Base Jan. 26, 2004. The X-43A and its booster remained mated to the B-52 throughout the 2-hour flight, intended to check its readiness for launch. The hydrogen-fueled aircraft was autonomous and had a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measured 12 feet long and weighed about 2,800 lb.Jan. 26, 2004NASA Photo / Carla Thomas› X-43A Project Description