A summary of the X-15 landing loads

The dynamic response of t h e X-15 airplane a t touchdown i s reviewed b r i e f l y t o show t h e unusual landing c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s r e s u l t i n g from t h e air plane configuration.The e f f e c t of sinking speed i s discussed, as w e l l as t h e influence of t h e h o r i z o n t a l -s t a b i l i z e r load, wing l i f t , and increased landing weight on t h e landing c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .Consideration i s given t o some f a c t o r s providing solutions t o these problems, such as cutout of t h e s t a b i l i t y augmen t a t i o n damper a t gear contact, p i l o t manipulation of t h e s t a b i l i z e r , t h e use of a s t i c k pusher a t touchdown, and a proposed t h i r d s k i d i n s t a l l e d i n t h e unjettisoned portion of t h e lower v e n t r a l f i n .Studies t o determine t h e e f f e c t on t h e main-landing-gear loads of r e l o c a t i n g t h e X-13 nose gear are discussed.