![]() |
![]() |
| 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. | ||
|
|
||
| Photo Number: | EC00-0362-30 | |
| Photo Date: | December 8, 2000 | |
|
|
||
| Formats: | 524x480 JPEG Image (61 KBytes) 1117x1023 JPEG Image (536 KBytes) 3000x2750 JPEG Image (6,046 KBytes) |
|
|
|
||
| Description: | 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. The captive carry flights are designed to verify the X-40's navigation and control systems, rigging angles for its sling, and stability and control of the helicopter while carrying the X-40 on a tether. Following a series of captive-carry flights, the X-40 made free flights from a launch altitude of about 15,000 feet above ground, gliding to a fully autonomous landing. The X-40 is an unpowered 82 percent scale version of the X-37, a Boeing-developed spaceplane designed to demonstrate various advanced technologies for development of future lower-cost access to space vehicles. | |
|
|
||
| NASA Photo by: | Carla Thomas | |
|
|
||
| Keywords: | X-40; X-40A; sub-scale technology demonstrator; X-37; U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter; captive-carry test flight; stabilization parachute; low cost access-to-space vehicles | |
|
|
|
|
|
|