Hitching a ride on NASA’s B-52 mother ship, the X-43A scramjet performed a captive carry evaluation flight from Edwards Air Force Base, California, January 26, 2004

Hitching a ride on the same B-52 mother ship that once launched X-15 research aircraft in the 1960s, NASA's X-43A scramjet and it's Pegasus booster rocket performed a captive carry evaluation flight from Edwards Air Force Base, California, January 26, 2004. The X-43 and it's booster remained mated to the B-52 throughout this mission, intended to check its readiness for launch. The hydrogen-fueled aircraft is autonomous and has a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measures 12 feet long and weighs about 2,800 pounds.