Orbital Sciences X-34
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| Orbital Sciences X-34 | ||
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| Description | ||
| Role | Technology Testbed | |
| Crew | 0 | |
| First Flight | June 29, 1999 (carried by L-1011) | |
| Manufacturer | Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, VA | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 58ft in | 17.7 m |
| Wingspan | 27ft in | 8.2 m |
| Height | ft in | m |
| Wing area | ft² | m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | lb | kg |
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. However the unpowered prototype had only been used for towing and captive flight tests when the project was cancelled in 2001 on cost grounds.
See Also
External link
- NASA Dryden X-34 Technology Testbed Demonstrator Photo Collection (http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/Photo/X-34/index.html)
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