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X-37 VEHICLE
NASA's X-37 is an advanced technology flight demonstrator, which will help define the future of space transportation - pushing technology into a new era of space development and exploration at the dawn of the new century. The X-37 will test and validate technologies in the environment of space as well as test system performance of the vehicle during orbital flight, reentry and landing. read more
For more information:
X-37 artist concepts and photos
X-37 news releases
X-37 fact sheet (PDF, 2.0 MB)
X-37 historical fact sheet (PDF, 1.8 MB)
X-40A photos/flight test video
X-37 artist concepts and photos
Thumbnails link to high-resolution versions of photos.
X-37 Flight Demonstrator
(Boeing Phantom Works)
Artist concept of X-37 vehicle
(NASA/MSFC)
NASA's X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle is installed in a structural test facility at Boeing's Huntington Beach, Calif., plant. The tests, which were completed in July 2003, were conducted to verify the structural integrity of the vehicle in preparation for atmospheric flight tests. The X-37 is a flight demonstrator project to flight test advancing technologies for NASA's Orbital Space Plane Program. (Boeing/R. Davis)
A Boeing technician makes adjustments to composite panels on NASA's X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle in preparation for structural testing at Boeing's Huntington Beach, Calif., plant. The proof tests to validate the structural integrity of the airframe were successfully completed in July 2003. Atmospheric flight tests are scheduled for mid-2004. Technologies demonstrated will aid in the design of the Orbital Space Plane. (Boeing/R. Davis)
Boeing technicians at the Huntington Beach plant make adjustments to composite panels on NASA's X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle prior to proof tests to validate the airframe structure. The X-37 is an advanced technology flight demonstrator designed to test technologies for the Orbital Space Plane Program. (Boeing/R. Davis)
Artist concept of the X-37 advanced technology flight demonstrator re-entering Earth's atmosphere. The X-37 will be a testbed for dozens of advanced structural, propulsion and operational technologies that could dramatically lower the cost of future reusable launch vehicles. The X-37 will operate in both the orbital and reenty phases of flight. The X-37 measures approximately 27.5 feet (8.3 meters) long and 15 feet (4.5 meters) in wingspan. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the X-37 project. The X-37 industry team is led by The Boeing Co. of Seal Beach, Calif. (NASA/MSFC)
The unpowered, unpiloted X-40A vehicle is an 85 percent scale, risk-reduction version of the proposed X-37 flight demonstrator. In 2001, the X-40A proved the capability of an autonomous flight control and landing system in a series of flight tests at NASA'a Dryden Flight Research Center.
Thumbnails link to high-resolution versions of photos.
X-40A releasing from the strongback during Free Flight #2A. Both are attached by tether line to the CH-47. Second free-flight of the X-40A at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, on Edwards AFB, Calif., was made on Apr. 12, 2001. The unpowered X-40A, an 85 percent scale risk reduction version of the proposed X-37, is proving the capability of an autonomous flight control and landing system in a series of glide flights at Edwards. The April 12 flight introduced complex vehicle maneuvers during the landing sequence. The X-40A was released from an Army Chinook
helicopter flying 15,050 feet overhead. Ultimately, the unpiloted X-37 is intended as an orbital testbed and technology demonstrator, capable of landing like an airplane and being quickly serviced for a follow-up mission. (NASA/Dryden)
First flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center for the X-40A was a 74 second glide from 15,000 feet on March 14, 2001. First flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center for the X-40A was a 74 second glide from 15,000 feet on March 14, 2001. To reduce technical risk before flight-testing the X-37, the X-40A was released from a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter for seven free flight tests in 2001. Each of the seven flights were successfully completed. The unpiloted X-40 is a risk-reduction vehicle for the X-37, which is intended to be a reusable space
vehicle. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala, manages the X-37 project. At Dryden, the X-40A will undergo a series of ground and air tests to reduce possible risks to the larger X-37, including drop tests from a helicopter to check guidance and navigation systems planned for use in the X-37. The X-37 is designed to demonstrate technologies in the orbital and reentry environments for next-generation reusable launch vehicles that will increase both safety and reliability, while reducing launch costs from $10,000 per pound to $1,000 per pound. The X-37, carried into orbit by the Space Shuttle, is planned to fly two orbital missions in 2002/2003 to test reusable launch vehicle technologies. (NASA/Dryden)
The X-40A vehicle, released from a helicopter during a test on March 14, 2001 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. (NASA/Dryden)
CH-47 and X-40A before Free Flight 4A. (NASA/Dryden)
Flight test videos:
QuickTime movie, 4.4 MB
QuickTime movie, 2.5 MB
04/27/04 - NASA Marshall Center Tony Lindeman named Professional of the Year by Project Management Institute
09/29/03 - Indianapolis native Dan Dumbacher named outstanding mechanical engineer by Purdue University
02/07/02 - Wings for X-37 spaceplane shipped to Palmdale final assembly facility
05/23/01 - X-40A free flights completed at Dryden; X-37 next
05/19/01 - X-40A seventh - and final - free flight successful
05/16/01 - X-40A sixth free flight successful
05/15/01 - Reusable Spaceplane Program achieves milestone
05/08/01 - X-40A fifth free flight successful
05/05/01 - X-40A fourth free flight successful
Photo Video
04/26/01 - X-40A third free flight successful
04/12/01 - X-40A second free flight successful
Photo
03/21/01 - NASA's successful test flight of X-40A vehicle is major accomplishment for its X-37 program Photo Video
03/14/01 - X-40A flight test successful; major milestone in X-37 space plane project
6/22/00 - X-37 mock-up on display at technical exposition at Dryden Flight Research Center
05/19/00 - Boeing delivers X-40A spaceplane to NASA
08/01/99 - U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kris A. Johanessen joins NASA's X-37 space plane project as deputy project manager Photo
07/07/99 - NASA enters a $173 million cooperative agreement with Boeing to develop and fly the X-37
05/17/99 - NASA announces appointment of Susan Turner as manager of the X-37 project
12/98 - NASA selects The Boeing Company for negotiations leading to possible four-year 50/50 sharing agreement to develop the first Future-X technology flight experiment Photo