NASA’s Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, also known as the flying bedstead, took to the skies for the first time on this day 59 years ago.
59 Years Ago Today Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Took to the Skies (Photo: Science Photo Library)
59 Years Ago Today Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Took to the Skies
According to NASA, On October 30, 1964, the chief pilot, Joseph A. Walker attempted to have the first flight of the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle.
The Lunar Landing Research Vehicle or the Flying Bedstead was a bizarre, four-legged flying contraption. The spacecraft was used to simulate moon landings and liftoffs on Earth to prepare for Apollo 11.
The spacecraft was the first crewed lunar landing research vehicle to ever be made.
READ ALSO: US Space Force Considers Small Geosynchronous Satellites In Enhancing Military Communications
Lunar Landing Research Vehicle First Used by Pilot Joe Walker
According to SPACE, the first person to ever test the flight of the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle was, as stated, the chief pilot Joseph A. “Joe” Walker, who reached an altitude of about 10 feet, and hovered there for about a minute. Chief pilot Walker alone has completed 30 test flights with the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle.
In addition, the test flights of the chief pilot took place at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The said facility is now known as the Armstrong Flight Research Center after Neil Armstrong, who also piloted the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle and famously crashed it before he was able to get to the moon.
READ ALSO: Indian Space Research Organisation Tests Emergency Escape System Of TV-D1
