X-37 Technology Demonstrator Completes Structural Tests

spacedialy.com ^ | 7/25/03

[KevinDavis]

An approach and landing test version of the X-37, a spacecraft designed to demonstrate technologies for NASA's Orbital Space Plane Program, successfully completed structural testing in Huntington Beach, Calif.

The series of ground-based, proof tests are intended to verify the structural integrity of the X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle. The tests apply pressure to the vehicle, simulating flight stresses and loads the X-37 may encounter in flight.

[KevinDavis]

Maybe the Columbia disaster was a blessing in disguse..

[KevinDavis]

Space Ping! This is the space ping list! Let me know if you want on or off this list!

[cmsgop]

Is there a pic?

[KevinDavis]

Check out space.com

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Put me on your list!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

[cmsgop]

Cool! Thanks!

[RightWhale]

Is this the ISS escape vehicle? A smaller Space Shuttle without the the cargo bay, and it looks more rugged than the Space Shuttle.

[TomB]

on please.

[NewRomeTacitus]

This is an interum step. The latest articles mostly point toward governments engaging in robotic endeavors for the next fifteen years or more. We should have had a manned Mars shot running for this once-a-millenia nearness between Earth and Mars.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I don't have an answer for your specific question but I found some info:

________________________________________________

X-37 - Summary

The X-37 will be NASA’s first X-vehicle demonstrator to operate during both the orbital and re-entry phases of flight. The robotic space plane, which is a 120 percent scale derivative of the Air Force's X-40A, will play a key role in NASA’s effort to dramatically cut the cost of putting payloads into space.

The X-37 will be ferried to orbit by the Space Shuttle or an expendable launch vehicle where it will be deployed.  The vehicle will then remain in orbit for up to 21 days and perform a variety of experiments before re-entering the atmosphere and landing on a conventional runway.  The design requirement for the vehicle is 20 flights and landings, but only two are currently scheduled by NASA.

 

The X-37 will demonstrate 41 advanced airframe, propulsion and operations technologies that can support various launch vehicle and spacecraft designs. A major focus of the X-37 will seek improvement of today’s spacecraft thermal protection systems. The systems now in use are fragile and expensive to maintain.

The X-37, which is being built by The Boeing Company, will be powered by a single AR-2/3 hydrogen peroxide and JP-10 (jet fuel) engine.  The vehicle will also have an internal seven by four foot payload bay to house up to 500 pounds of experiments.  Unpowered atmospheric tests are scheduled for 2001 with the first orbital flight planned for 2002.

Prime Contractor:	The Boeing Company 5301 Bolsa Avenue Huntington Beach, CA 92647-2099
Point of Contact:	Marshal Media Relations Office web:  www.msfc.nasa.gov/news Tel:   256.544.0034
Launch Sites:	Kennedy Space Center (28.6 deg. N Latitude)
Web Links:	NASA X-37 Web Site

[IndianChief]

Please put me on your ping list please!

[buccaneer81]

Please add me to your ping list. Thanks.

---Bill

[Frank_Discussion]

Danke! It's a neat little spacecraft, but is unmanned. It is be the testbed for a manned version.