McDonnell Douglas DC-X
Videos
The DC-X, short for Delta Clipper or Delta Clipper Experimental, was an uncrewed prototype of a reusable single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle built by McDonnell Douglas in conjunction with the United
McDonnell Douglas DC-XA Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) concept
The Delta Clipper Advanced
First flight
First landing. The yellow exhaust is due to the low throttle settings, which burns at lower temperatures and is generally "dirty" as a result.
Lockheed Martin X-33
Videos
The Lockheed Martin X-33 was a proposed uncrewed, sub-scale technology demonstrator suborbital spaceplane that was developed for a period in the 1990s. The X-33 was a technology demonstrator for the V
McDonnell Douglas DC-X
…direction of the SDIO. Its continued success was cause for considerable political in-fighting within NASA due to it competing with their "home grown" Lockheed Martin X-33/VentureStar project. Pete Conrad priced a new DC-X at $50 million, cheap by NASA standards, but NASA decided not to rebuild the craft in light of budget…
Artist's rendition of the X-33 in orbit.
X-33 model being prepared for testing in a wind-tunnel in 1997
Test of the X-33's thermal protection system, 1998
Space art of X-33 at high altitude