Payload Layout
Payload Mounting Hardware
The following is a list of hardware that may be used for mounting your equipment in the aircraft. All of the items can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Alterations to the mounting hardware may be completed with the approval of the WB-57 Program Office. Please Contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
3-Foot Unpressurized Pallet
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on 3-foot, unpressurized pallets. Per request, pallets can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
6-Foot, Unpressurized Pallet
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on 6-foot, unpressurized pallets. Per request, pallets can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
3-Foot, Pressurized Pallet
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Usable Volume: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on 3-foot, pressurized pallets. Per request, pallets can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
6-Foot, Pressurized Pallet
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Usable Volume: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on 6-foot, pressurized pallets. Per request, pallets can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
Spear Pod
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on WB-57 spear pods. Per request, spear pods can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
Nose Cone Schematic
Schematic: Not Yet Available
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on WB-57 Nose Cones. Per request, nose cones can be sent to researcher institutions for payload design purposes. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
Wing Hatch
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on WB-57 wing hatches. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
Aft Transition
Schematic: Adobe Acrobat | AutoCAD
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on WB-57 transitions. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
Aft Fuselage
Schematic: Not Yet Available
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on the WB-57 aft fuselage. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
Tailcone
Schematic: Not Yet Available
Reference this link for critical design dimensions pertaining to payload integration on WB-57 tail cones. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office with any questions.
First Steps To Fly
The initial step to take when flying your payload aboard the WB-57 is to fill out a WB-57 Payload Information Form. This questionaire will allow the Program Office to assess the hazards involved with flying the payload, and to start taking steps to mitigate the risks. At this point, it is imperative that the researcher stay flexible in the design to allow for mandatory safety mechanisms and procedures. Open communication with the program office at this early stage will alleviate many hang-ups later in the integration and flight approval process. Researchers are strongly encouraged to contact a Project Engineer if there are any questions or concerns.
Payload Information Form
To formally request a flight through the NASA Airborne Science Program, the researcher is required to fill out a Flight Request. The Science Operations Flight Request System (SOFRS) is maintained by NASA Ames Research Center.
Flight Request Form
Data Package
There are two types of hazards that must be approved by offices other than the WB-57 Program Office. These are pressure/vacuum systems, and laser systems. Equipment using either of these systems must be certified by their respective safety offices onsite at the Johnson Space Center. The WB-57 Office has established working relationships with these departments, and all information should go through the WB-57 Program Office.
Pressure/Vacuum Systems
Instruments with pressure/vacuum systems must request an Operation and Configuration Control Plan (OCCP). The request should be submitted to the WB-57 Program Office as early as possible, but no later than the Payload Data Package. To request an OCCP, please contact the WB-57 Program Office.
Laser Systems
Instruments using laser systems are required to get approval from the Johnson Space Center Radiation Safety Office. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office for more information.
Test Readiness Review (TRR) Checklist
The TRR is the final safety review of a payload prior to its flight. A checklist for specific items that will be addressed at each TRR is linked below. Researchers will be required to complete and sign this checklist for their payload prior to each TRR or delta TRR. Researchers are encouraged to review and incorporate this checklist at the start of payload design to help ensure a successful TRR. (Note: The TRR checklist is subject to change. Please contact the WB-57 Program Office to ensure you have the latest version of the checklist.)"
TRR Checklist
Design Aids
Compiled on this page are several tips and examples that are intended to aid researchers in the development of their hardware and Payload Data Packages. Many of these tips have come from the research community in the form of lessons learned. If you have any helpful hints or information that could be of use to other researchers, please pass it along to the Program Office, as it is our hope that this page will never be "finished".
Boundary Layer Information
Often there is a question about how far an inlet should protrude from the aircraft skin to escape the boundary layer and sample air in the freestream. Below is the data that was collected by flying a rake of inlets at several different locations on the pallet system. This information shows the differential pressure recorded at various ports on the rake. The WB-57 Program Office would like to thank Ru-Shan Gao from the NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory for allowing us to publish this rake data.
Rake Data
Pallet Temperature
The following button links to the WB-57 Pallet Temperature Chart. This chart contains empirical data reflecting the temperature of a WB-57 pallet through a typical flight profile. It is important to note that no attempt to control the temperature was made while attaining this data. The WB-57 Office does have the ability to install heaters in the pressurized pallets to help moderate pallet temperature.
Pallet Temperature Chart
Miscellaneous Helpful Hints
The following helpful hints are a compilation of many different facets of the design and build process. They have been gathered from researchers who have learned from experience. Again, this is designed to be a living document, and the Program Office is more than receptive if you have any additions. Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far.
Helpful Hints
