Two Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers were modified as motherships to launch the X-15 rocket planes. On each aircraft, the bombardier's station was replaced with a console for a launch panel operator; a slot was cut in the right wing to accommodate the X-15's tail fin; and the wing was fitted with a special pylon for carrying the research vehicle. The NB-52A, Air Force serial 52-0003, was named "The High and Mighty One," and the NB-52B (Air Force serial 52-0008) was called "The Challenger." Both, however, were better known by nicknames based on their serial numbers - "Balls Three" and "Balls Eight." In the 1960s, both served as motherships for the X-15 and lifting bodies but "Balls Eight" remained at Dryden until 2004, becoming a true workhorse of aeronautical research. The NB-52B was first used to launch an X-15 on Jan. 23, 1960, the fifth X-15 flight. It served as launch aircraft for 106 of the 199 X-15 research missions and several captive flights. It was also used as mothership for the lifting bodies (HL-10, M2-F2, M2-F3, X-24A, X-24B); F-15 Spin Research Vehicle; Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology, or HiMAT remotely piloted research vehicle; drones for aerodynamic and structural testing; as a space shuttle solid rocket booster parachute system drop test vehicle; F-111 crew escape capsule recovery system parachute test vehicle; Pegasus expendable launch vehicle; X-38 Crew Return Vehicle technology demonstrator; and X-43A hypersonic research vehicle. It was used in numerous other programs, including Inertial Flight Data System pod tests; space shuttle drag chute tests; supersonic cruise emissions environmental studies; F-16 radar target studies; Air Force strategic studies of laser propagation through aircraft wake vortices; and tests of a prototype interphone system. The airplane's fuselage was decorated with mission markings denoting its history and accomplishments. The NB-52B made a total of 1,051 flights and logged 2,443.8 flight hours. It was retired by NASA and returned to the Air Force on Dec. 17, 2004. Photo Description The NB-52B carries the M2-F2. NASA Photo
