From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Orbital Sciences X-34 was intended as a low-cost testbed to demonstrate "key technologies" integratable to the Reusable Launch Vehicle program.
It was intended to be an autonomous pilotless craft powered by a Fastrac rocket engine capable of reaching Mach 8, and performing 25 test flights per year. The unpowered prototype had only been used for towing and captive flight tests when the project was canceled in 2001 for cost concerns. If a working spacecraft were to come from the X-34 program, it would operate similarly to the space shuttle: it would take off like a rocket, mated with two rocket boosters and an external fuel tank, dock with a space station in the same way the shuttle does with the International Space Station, and land on a runway like an airplane does.
As of October 29, 2007 one demonstrator remains in storage at Edwards Air Force Base. [2]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
|
Lists relating to aviation |
|
| General |
|
|
| Military |
|
|
| Accidents/incidents |
|
|
| Records |
|
|
