In this photo of the M2-F1 lifting body and the Paresev 1B on the ramp, the viewer sees two vehicles representing different approaches to building a research craft to simulate a spacecraft able to land on the ground instead of splashing down in the ocean as the Mercury capsules did. The M2-F1 was a lifting body, a shape able to re-enter from orbit and land. The Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) used a Rogallo wing that could be (but never was) used to replace a conventional parachute for landing a capsule-type spacecraft, allowing it to make a controlled landing on the ground.
Photographer NASA
Location Edwards, CA, USA
M2-F1PontiacCatalinaconvertibleSpace ShuttleAlfred J EggersAmes Aeronautical LaboratoryAmes Research CenterNASAFlight Research CenterDryden Flight Research CenterRogers Dry LakebedWalter WhitesideBoyden BearceBill StraupMilt ThompsonOrion BilleterJohn OrahoodDale ReedDick EldredgeParesevParaglider Rescue VehicleFrancis M RogalloRobert R GilruthNASA s Space Task GroupRogallo wingParaglider Research VehicleNorth American AviationParawingCharles RichardRichard KleinGary LaytonJohn OrahoodJoe WilsonFrank FedorLeRoy BartoVictor HortonPaul BikleMilton ThompsonBruce PetersonNeil ArmstrongRobert ChampineGus GrissomCharles Hetzel