Encyclopedia Astronautica
Palmdale Omni DZ

Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 8 launches from 1960 to 1961, reaching up to 16 kilometers altitude.

Longitude: -117.9700 deg.
Latitude: 34.6800 deg.

More... - Chronology...
Associated Countries
See also
Associated Launch Vehicles
Associated Launch Sites
  • Palmachim Israeli coastal missile test site from which the Shavit satellite launch vehicle is also launched. A due-west launch over the Mediterranean is required to avoid overflying Arab countries, resulting in unique orbital inclinations and directions.

    The site was known to have been used for 40 launches from 1987 to 2007. More...

Palmdale Omni DZ Chronology
1960 September 23 - . 17:52 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-13-25. FAILURE: Engines fail..
  • X-15A test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 16 km (9 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 1783 kph. Maximum Altitude - 16168 m. Premature shutdown of both XLR-11's..
1960 October 20 - . 17:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-14-27.
  • X-15A Stability/Control test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 16 km (9 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 2059 kph. Maximum Altitude - 16398 m..
1960 October 28 - . 17:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-15-28.
  • X-15A Stability/Control test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 2145 kph. Maximum Altitude - 15453 m..
1960 November 4 - . 20:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-16-29.
  • X-15A Stability/Control test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 2071 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14905 m..
1960 November 17 - . 20:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 003. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-17-30.
  • X-15A test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 16 km (9 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 2018 kph. Maximum Altitude - 16688 m. Lower XLR-11 shutdown but restarted..
1960 November 30 - . 18:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-18-31.
  • X-15A test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 1858 kph. Maximum Altitude - 14886 m. Only 7 of 8 XLR-11 chambers ignited..
1960 December 9 - . 19:52 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-19-32.
  • X-15A Ball nose, Stabil. test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). Summary: First hot nose flight. Maximum Speed - 1911 kph. Maximum Altitude - 15269 m..
1961 February 1 - . 18:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Palmdale Omni DZ. Launch Pad: 34.7 N x 118.0 W. Launch Platform: NB-52 008. LV Family: X-15. Launch Vehicle: X-15. LV Configuration: X-15 1-20-35.
  • X-15A Ball/side controller test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA; USAF. Apogee: 15 km (9 mi). Summary: Maximum Speed - 1949 kph. Maximum Altitude - 15170 m..
Home - Browse - Contact
© / Conditions for Use