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X-40A Free Flight #5
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| Photo Number: |
EC01-0148-4
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| Photo Date: |
May 8, 2001
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| Formats: |
480x583 JPEG Image (63 KBytes)
1024x1245 JPEG Image (546 KBytes)
2400x2918 JPEG Image (4,345 KBytes)
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| Description: |
X-40A Free Flight #5. The unpowered X-40A, an 85 percent scale risk reduction version of the proposed X-37, proved the capability of an autonomous flight control and landing system in a series of glide flights at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California.
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the X-37 project. At Dryden, the X-40A underwent 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.
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| NASA Photo by: |
Jim Ross
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| Keywords: |
X-40A; X-40; X-37; FF #5
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Dryden Home > Collections > Photo Home > X-40A SMV Aircraft > Photo # EC01-0148-4
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