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X-40A Space Manuever Vehicle
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The X-40A was an 85-percent scale version of the X-37 experimental space-access technology demonstrator. The unpowered X-40A flew several helicopter-launched approach and landing tests at NASA Dryden in 2001 to validate the autonomous guidance and navigation systems to reduce risk for the follow-on X-37 project. X-40A Home Page
| DFRC Photo # |
Photo Date |
Image Description |
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X-40A SMV Photo Collection Contact Sheet |
| EC01-0148-4 |
May 8, 2001 |
X-40A Free Flight #5 |
| EC01-0148-12 |
May 8, 2001 |
X-40A Free Flight #5 |
| EC01-0148-15 |
May 8, 2001 |
X-40A Free Flight #5 |
| EC01-0148-21 |
May 8, 2001 |
X-40A Free Flight #5 |
| EC00-0362-8 |
December 8, 2000 |
A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter slowly lowers the X-40 sub-scale technology demonstrator to the ground under the watchful eyes of ground crew at the conclusion of a captive-carry test flight. |
| EC00-0362-20 |
December 8, 2000 |
Ground crewmen help guide the alignment of the X-40A as the experimental craft is gently lowered to the ground by a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter following a captive-carry test flight. |
| EC00-0362-30 |
December 8, 2000 |
The X-40 sub-scale technology demonstrator is suspended under a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter during a captive-carry test flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. |
| EC00-0362-31 |
December 8, 2000 |
With a small stabilization parachute trailing behind, the X-40 sub-scale technology demonstrator is suspended under a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter during a captive-carry test flight. |
| EC00-0362-32 |
December 8, 2000 |
The X-40 sub-scale technology demonstrator and its U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter mothership fly over a dry lakebed runway during a captive-carry test flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. |
| EC01-0168-1 |
May 18, 2001 |
X-40A departure with CH-47 - flight #7 |
| X-40A Free Flights Completed at NASA Dryden (DFRC Press Release 01-37) |
| EC01-0145-3 |
May 5, 2001 |
CH-47 and X-40A before Free flight 4A |
| EC01-0145-12 |
May 5, 2001 |
X-40A landing after Free Flight 4A |
| X-40A Second Free Flight Successful, Paving Way for NASA's X-37 Space Plane (DFRC Press Release 01-23) |
| EC01-0107-01 |
April 12, 2001 |
X-40A releasing from the strongback during Free Flight #2A. Both are attached by tether line to the CH-47. |
| EC01-0107-05 |
April 12, 2001 |
X-40A on runway after Free Flight #2A |
| X-40A First Free Flight is a Major Accomplishment for its X-37 Program (DFRC Press Release 01-17) |
| EC01-0070-3 |
March 14, 2001 |
Wranglers steadied the X-40A at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, March 14, 2001, as the experimental craft was carried to 15,000 feet for an unpiloted glide flight. |
| EC01-0070-2 |
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. |
| EC01-0070-4 |
March 14, 2001 |
A worker attaches covers for the nose pitot boom before removing the unpiloted X-40 from the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, following its successful free-flight on March 14, 2001. |
| EC01-0070-1 |
March 14, 2001 |
The X-40A immediately after release from its harness suspended from a helicopter 15,000 feet above NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 14, 2001. |
| EC00-0155-6 |
19 May 2000 |
X-40A SMV arrives at NASA Dryden - on ramp |
| EC00-0155-19 |
19 May 2000 |
X-40A SMV arrives at NASA Dryden - in hangar |
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| EC00-0198-1 |
June 22, 2000 |
Aerospace industry representatives view actual and mock-up versions of 'X-Planes' intended to enhance access to space. L-R: NASA's B-52 launch aircraft, Boeing's X-37, and the Boeing X-40A behind the MicroCraft X-43 mock-up. |
| EC00-0198-2 |
June 22, 2000 |
On display during a technical exposition at Dryden are NASA's B-52 launch aircraft, Boeing's X-37, Boeing's X-40A behind the MicroCraft X-43 mock-up, Orbital Science's X-34 and the modified Lockheed L-1011 airliner that will launch the X-34. |
| EC00-0198-85 |
June 22, 2000 |
On display during a technical exposition at NASA Dryden are left to right: Boeing's X-37, the flight-article Boeing X-40A, behind the MicroCraft X-43 mock-up, and an actual Orbital Science's X-34 on the right. |
| EC00-0198-102 |
June 22, 2000 |
At NASA Dryden, Aerospace industry representatives view actual and mock-up versions of 'X-Planes' intended to enhance access to space. The Boeing X-37 neutral buoyancy test model is behind the MicroCraft X-43 mock-up. |
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