Boeing X-40

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X-40
UH-60 Black Hawk)[1][2][3]

The Boeing X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle is a test platform for the Boeing X-37 reusable spaceplane, built by Boeing Phantom Works. It sought to test the X-37's systems in order to "reduce the cost and risk of future reusable space launch vehicle system".[4]

History

The uncrewed X-40A was an 80%-90% subscale version of the Boeing X-37 reusable spaceplane, but lacking in propulsion or thermal protection systems. Boeing built the X-40A originally for the Air Force as part of that service’s Space Maneuver Vehicle program.[4][2]

The aircraft was built at Boeing Phantom Works at Seal Beach, California, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory.[2]

After the first

glide capabilities of the X-37's fat-bodied, short-winged design and validated the proposed guidance system.[citation needed
]

Testing

The first X-40A drop test occurred at

CH-47D Chinook helicopter).[4][3] The vehicle dove to the runway in an approach similar to the Space Shuttle's, flared, and landed left of the runway centerline. Its drag chutes
successfully deployed, and the vehicle tracked to within 7 feet (2.1 m) of the centerline and stopped at a distance of slightly more than 7,000 feet (2,100 m).

The X-40A flew seven approach and landing test flights at NASA’s

CH-47D Chinook helicopter to an altitude of 15,000 feet, and then released to fly an autonomously controlled 75-second descent to a landing on the main runway at Edwards Air Force Base, where it then glided and guided itself.[4]

Specifications (X-40A)

X-40A on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

Data from Boeing X-40A - National Museum of the United States Air Force

General characteristics

  • Length: 22 ft (6.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 12 ft (3.7 m)
  • Empty weight: 2,600 lb (1,179 kg)

Performance

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b "Military Spaceplane X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle Integrated Tech Testbed". Military Space Programs. Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Boeing X-40A". National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved 2024-07-23.[dead link]
  3. ^ a b c Boeing X-37 / X-40 page at Designation-Systems.Net
  4. ^ a b c d e Gelzer, Christian (2 March 2016). "X-40A Space Maneuvering Vehicle". NASA. Retrieved 23 July 2024.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
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