| X-40 | |
|---|---|
 Boeing X-40A on a descent glide slope | |
| General information | |
| Type | Glide test vehicle |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Phantom Works |
| Status | Retired May 2001 |
| Primary users | Air Force Research Laboratory |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | August 11, 1998 (dropped byUH-60 Black Hawk)[1][2][3] |
TheBoeing X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle is a test platform for theBoeing X-37 reusable spaceplane, built byBoeing Phantom Works. It sought to test the X-37's systems in order to "reduce the cost and risk of future reusable space launch vehicle system".[4]
Theuncrewed X-40A was an 80%-90% subscale version of theBoeing X-37 reusable spaceplane, but lacking in propulsion or thermal protection systems. Boeing built the X-40A originally for the Air Force as part of that service’s Space Maneuver Vehicle program.[4][2]
The aircraft was built atBoeing Phantom Works atSeal Beach, California, in partnership with theAir Force Research Laboratory.[2]
After the firstdrop test in August 1998 the vehicle was transferred to NASA, which modified it. Between April 4 and May 19, 2001, the vehicle successfully conducted seven free flights.[2][3] In 2001 it successfully demonstrated theglide capabilities of the X-37's fat-bodied, short-winged design and validated the proposedguidance system.[citation needed]
The first X-40A drop test occurred atHolloman AFB,New Mexico on August 11, 1998 at 06:59. It was released from an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet (3,000 m)[2] and 2.5 miles (4.0 km) away from the end of Runway 04 by aUH-60 Black Hawkhelicopter[1] (later tests used an ArmyCH-47D Chinook helicopter).[4][3] The vehicle dove to therunway in anapproach similar to theSpace Shuttle's, flared, and landed left of the runway centerline. Itsdrag chutes successfully deployed, and the vehicle tracked to within 7 feet (2.1 m) of the centerline and stopped at a distance of slightly more than 7,000 feet (2,100 m).
The X-40A flew seven approach and landing test flights at NASA’sDryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center inEdwards, California, in 2001 to reduce risk for the X-37 program, including in-flight evaluation of guidance, navigation and control software for its autonomous flight controls.[4] One test flight the craft was towed by an ArmyCH-47D Chinook helicopter to an altitude of 15,000 feet, and then released to fly an autonomously controlled 75-second descent to a landing on the main runway atEdwards Air Force Base, where it then glided and guided itself.[4]
Data fromBoeing X-40A - National Museum of the United States Air Force
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Related lists
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration.
