Space Exploration

[Northrup HL-10]

Northrup HL-10 Model, Unknown Manufacturer (Likely Northrup), ca. 1966

No reserve

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Lot Closed

July 18, 02:04 PM GMT

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 USD

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Lot Details

Description

[Northrup HL-10 Model]

Unknown manufacturer (but likely Northrup), ca. 1966

Wooden model with metal pitot tube, ⅟₁₅scale, 16 inches long, 11½ inch wingspan, reading "NASA" on the tailfin, acrylic and metal base.

De-accessed by NASA Aerospace Education Service Program (AESP) via GSA Auction;

Private Collector, Acquired in the Above

The Northrup HL-10 was one of five aircraft built for NASA's Lifting Body Research Program. From 1966 to 1975, the HL-10, along with the M2-F2, M2-F3, X-24A, and X-24B, were used to study how to safely land a low lift-over-drag vehicle designed for re-entry from space. The HL-10 flew 37 times during the program, logging the highest altitude and fastest speed of any of the 5 aircraft, and helped NASA develop energy management and landing techniques that would eventually be used on the Space Shuttle orbiters.