NASA B-52B

NASA-003, NASA-008

Two specially-modified Boeing B-52 heavy bombers, with eight jet engines in 4 clusters of two, two of these clusters slung beneath each wing. A special hanging "cradle" was added beneath the starboard wing, between the inboard engine cluster and the fuselage. Used to launch X-15 rocketplanes (some of whose pilots flew high enough to earn their astronaut wings), to launch lifting bodies, and to launch the Pegasus orbital vehicle. One of these aircraft, tail number NASA-003 (retired 1969), is on public display at the Pima Air & Space Museum near Tucson, AZ. See: http://www.aero-web.org/museums/az/pam/52-0003.htm Boeing NB-52A 'Stratofortress' SN: 52-0003.

NASA-008 first flew in 1955 June 11 and was retired on 2004 December 17. See: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-005-DFRC.html B-52B "Mothership" Launch Aircraft

The "mothership" idea continues to be used, most recently by the winner of the X-Prize, SpaceShip One, and followup craft. There is also a rumored secret Air Force space plane project, commonly referred to as "Aurora", which may also use a "mothership" configuration (if it exists).