Space History Photo: Lifting Bodies on Lakebed

Three wingless lifting body aircraft are sitting on Rogers Dry Lakebed at what is now NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. CREDIT: NASA. View full size image

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, the wingless lifting body aircraft are sitting on Rogers Dry Lake at what is now NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, in 1969.

From left to right are the X-24A, M2-F3 and the HL-10. The lifting body aircraft studied the feasibility of maneuvering and landing an aerodynamic craft designed for reentry from space. These lifting bodies were air launched by a B-52 mother ship, then flew powered by their own rocket engines before making an unpowered approach and landing. They helped validate the concept that a space shuttle could make accurate landings without power.

The X-24A flew from April 17, 1969 to June 4, 1971. The M2-F3 flew from June 2, 1970 until December 21, 1971. The HL-10 flew from December 22, 1966 until July 17, 1970, and logged the highest and fastest records in the lifting body program.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).