NASA's LASRE Cold Flow Flight: A Milestone in Aerospike Engine Testing

On March 4, 1998, NASA successfully conducted the first cold flow flight of the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) at the Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. This marked a significant step in the development and testing of advanced propulsion systems for future reusable launch vehicles.

The LASRE project was a collaborative effort between NASA, Rocketdyne, and Lockheed Martin. Its primary objective was to evaluate the performance and integration of a linear aerospike rocket engine mounted on a modified Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird aircraft. The SR-71, renowned for its high-speed and high-altitude capabilities, provided an ideal platform for testing experimental propulsion technologies in flight conditions.

During the cold flow flight, gaseous helium and liquid nitrogen were cycled through the aerospike engine system. This procedure was designed to verify the integrity of the engine's plumbing and to assess its operating characteristics without igniting the engine. Cold flow tests are a critical precursor to hot-fire tests, ensuring that all systems function correctly and safely under simulated operational conditions.

The aircraft used in the experiment, SR-71A tail number 844, bore NASA markings and was equipped with the LASRE test apparatus mounted on its dorsal surface. The flight provided valuable data on fluid dynamics, thermal behavior, and structural integration of the aerospike engine with the host aircraft.

The linear aerospike engine itself represents a departure from traditional bell-shaped rocket nozzles. Its design allows for altitude-compensating thrust, meaning it can maintain efficiency across a wide range of atmospheric pressures. This makes it particularly attractive for single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) concepts and other advanced launch systems.

NASA's LASRE cold flow flight was a foundational moment in the pursuit of next-generation propulsion. By validating the aerospike engine's systems in a real-world flight environment, the experiment laid the groundwork for future innovations in aerospace engineering and reusable spaceflight technology.

Jaguar vs Jaguar: The Day Speed Took Flight at RAF Abingdon

In the summer of 1990, RAF Abingdon played host to one of the most surreal and electrifying PR stunts motorsport and aviation had ever seen. On one side of the runway stood Martin Brundle, seasoned Formula 1 driver and Le Mans veteran, strapped into the cockpit of a V12-powered Jaguar XJR-12. Opposite him, Squadron Leader Mike Lawrence prepared for takeoff in a Rolls-Royce twin-turbofan SEPECAT Jaguar fighter jet. The stage was set for a drag race that defied logic and thrilled spectators—a showdown between two machines named Jaguar, each engineered for speed but born of vastly different worlds.

The event was as unconventional as it was audacious. According to Brundle’s recollection, the race was started not by a flag or countdown timer, but by a man in a British Leyland Metro flashing his headlights halfway down the runway. It was a moment of pure British eccentricity, underscored by the surreal proximity of the jet’s roaring engines. “The Jet was literally melting beside me,” Brundle tweeted years later, still marveling at the chaos and spectacle of the day.

As the lights flashed, Brundle unleashed the full fury of the XJR-12’s V12 engine, a machine built for endurance racing but more than capable of brute acceleration. The fighter jet, meanwhile, ignited its afterburners and began to lift, its nose rising as it roared past Brundle’s car. The turbulence was so intense that the Jaguar Le Mans car began to shift and dance on the tarmac, buffeted by the jet’s wake.

Despite the odds, Brundle crossed the finish line first, clocking an astonishing 220mph. It was a victory not just of speed, but of spectacle—a moment where engineering, adrenaline, and absurdity collided in perfect harmony.

Reflecting on the experience, Brundle called it “extraordinary,” describing the visceral thrill of having a fighter jet take off just above his head while his car fought to stay grounded. “Crazy PR gigs like that seemed easier back in the day,” he mused, capturing the spirit of an era when boundaries were pushed not just in competition, but in imagination.

The RAF Abingdon drag race remains a singular moment in motorsport lore—a reminder that sometimes, the most unforgettable races aren’t about trophies or titles, but about the sheer audacity of the idea.