The Northrop M2-F2 was a heavyweight lifting body based on studies at NASA 's Ames and Langley research centers and built by the Northrop Corporation in 1966.

Sep 28, 2009 · Air Force Capt. Jerauld Gentry, shown with the M2-F2, made a total of 30 lifting-body flights in 5 different vehicles - the M2-F1 (2 flights), M2-F2 (5 flights), M2-F3 (1 flight), HL-10 (9 flights), and X-24A (13 flights).

Gentry was the eighth pilot assigned to the lifting body program and made his first air-towed flight in the NASA M2-F1 on July 16, 1965. [8] He transitioned to the heavyweight Northrop M2-F2 lifting body which he first flew on October 12, 1966, in an unpowered mission air-dropped from a B-52 Stratofortress. [9]

Air Force Capt. Jerauld Gentry, shown in this photo with the M2-F2, made a total of 30 lifting-body flights in 5 different vehicles--the M2-F1 (2 flights), M2-F2 (5 flights), M2-F3 (1 flight), HL-10 (9 …

Mar 30, 2025 · The M2-F2’s role in advancing controlled space vehicle landings remains a critical chapter in aerospace history. Its contributions, though punctuated by setbacks, demonstrated the importance of innovation in ensuring astronaut safety and refining spacecraft design.

Dec 31, 2014 · Posing for this photo in front of the M2-F3 are (Left-Right) Air Force pilot Captain Jerauld Gentry, NASA pilots John Manke and William H. Dana. Kneeling is Air Force pilot Major Cecil Powell. These four pilots flew the M2-F3 on a total of 27 flights between June 2, 1970 and December 20, 1972.

Dec 10, 2009 · Some new and different lessons were learned through the successful flight testing of the HL-10. These lessons, when combined with information from it's sister ship, the M2-F2/F3, provided an excellent starting point for designers of future entry …

M2-F2 photos at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California

Sep 8, 2020 · Determine control damper requirements, lift-drag ratio, elevon response, flap effectiveness and longitudinal stability and control. Unpowered glide.

M2 Flight 11 - . Crew: Gentry. Payload: M2-F2 flight 11. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Gentry. Program: NASA Lifting Body. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Spacecraft: M2-F2. Maximum Speed - 692 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 234 sec..