10/31/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Northrop built this advanced design vehicle for NASA in which the highest state of aerodynamics was incorporated to produce a wingless body with sufficient stability and lift to fly well. The HL-10 was designed in a research program (also known as the Lifting Body Program) to develop a vehicle to allow astronauts to return safely to earth from space missions. Between December 22, 1966 and July 17, 1970 the HL-10 (HL = Horizontal Lander) made 37 flights, launched from a B-52. It held records for maximum speed (Mach 1.86, 1,379 mph, 2,219 kmh) and reached altitude (90,300 ft, 27,524m)."