Space Transportation: Status of the X-33 Reusable Launch Vehicle Program.
Abstract
The purpose of the $ 1.3 billion X-33 Program, cosponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Lockheed Martin Corporation, is to develop and demonstrate advanced technologies and techniques needed for future reusable launch vehicles (RLV), including lightweight internal fuel tanks, advanced rocket engines, a durable heat shield, and rapid-turnaround, low-cost operations. The X-33 vehicle will be a half-scale model of Lockheed Martin's planned single-stage-to- orbit (SSTO) Venture Star RLV, an operational vehicle that will be based on and developed after the X-33. Lockheed Martin and NASA will base the decision to proceed with developing the Venture Star, in part, on the results of the X-33 Program. NASA would potentially be one of Lockheed Martin's primary customers for the cargo-only flights and, at this time, is the only anticipated customer for passenger flights. The passenger flights would carry crewmembers to and from the International Space Station.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA367271
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office