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AlliedSignal, one of the four major sub-contractors to Lockheed Martin on the X-33 programme, has already started work on the airframe and space subsystems of the sub-scale vehicle demonstrator.
The company, which is celebrating its part in every US manned space programme from the Mercury programme to the Space Shuttle by displaying a mock-up of the Apollo 13 command module at Farnborough ‘96, says it is involved in ten major parts of the X-33, ranging from flight controls to the brakes.
The $1 billion X-33 programme, at this stage, involved only the development of a proof-of-concept precursor of a potential single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO), reusable vehicle, The VentureStar, which could replace the Space Shuttle next century.
That will depend on the sub-orbital demonstrator proving the technical and financial feasibility of the SSTO - and whether Lockheed Martin and its potential partners are willing to fund the multi-million dollar project next century, with NASA as a major user. Lockheed will be presenting briefings on the X-33 on Wednesday.
Source: Flight Daily News
