Is It True That NASA Strapped A 41-Foot Rocket Engine To An SR-71's Back & Flew It To Mach 1.8?

NASA conducted a remarkable experiment involving an SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, attaching a 41-foot rocket engine to its rear section. This test flight occurred as part of exploring the final mission of the iconic Blackbird spy plane. During the event, the modified SR-71 achieved a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.8. Engineers meticulously monitored the integration and performance characteristics throughout the flight tests. Data collected from this unique endeavor is expected to contribute significantly to future propulsion research endeavors.