X-34 - Definition

Orbital Sciences X-34
Description
Role	Technology Testbed
Crew	0
First Flight	June 29, 1999 (carried by L-1011)
Manufacturer	Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, VA
Dimensions
Length	58ft in	17.7 m
Wingspan	27ft in	8.2 m
Height	ft in	m
Wing area	ft²	m²
Weights
Empty	lb	kg

The Orbital Sciences X-34 was intended as a low-cost testbed to demonstrate "key technologies" integratable to the Reusable Launch Vehicle program.

It was intended to be an autonomous pilotless craft powered by a Fastrac rocket engine capable of reaching Mach 8, and performing 25 test flights per year. However the unpowered prototype had only been used for towing and captive flight tests when the project was cancelled in 2001 on cost grounds.

See Also

• X-plane

External link

• NASA Dryden X-34 Technology Testbed Demonstrator Photo Collection (http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/Photo/X-34/index.html)

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