NASA Hyper III aircraft. The NASA Hyper III aircraft was built in 1969 as part of the lifting body program Lifting body aircraft had short, bulbous or curved fuselages and featured minimal wings or were wingless. The design increased the aerodynamic capabilities of the aircraft when travelling at speed and the absence of wings meant less heat damage during space re-entry. The Hyper III was unpowered and unmanned. When it was launched from the air it simply glided down under remote control and landed safely. It was not developed any further.