THE MCDONNELL Douglas DC-XA re-useable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) launch- vehicle demonstrator and precursor to the X-33, had its second and third test flights on 5 and 6 June. The 26h launch turn around, impressed NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, who comments: "We are going to replace the Shuttle with this".
Goldin also renamed the DC-XA Clipper Graham, after the late Lt Gen Daniel Graham, who "-championed the promise of fully re-useable SSTO vehicles". The first DC-XA flight took place on 18 May (Flight International, 29 May-4 June).
The second flight reached 2,500ft (760m) and flew laterally 170m during the 63s mission, ending with a landing on its launch pad at White Sands, New Mexico. The DC-XA was controlled from the launch centre, by flight manager and former astronaut, Pete Conrad.
The third increased the altitude to 10,300ft during a 120s flight, which included a lateral manoeuvre of 170m. The Clipper Graham will complete two further flights.
The selection of the prime contractor for the X-33 follow-on SSTO orbital demonstrator is imminent. A first launch in 1999 is possible. A $50 billion operational X-33 could replace the Space Shuttle.
NASA has selected Orbital Sciences for final negotiations leading to a contract to build a small, re-useable technology vehicle, called the X-34 demonstrator. The two-flight programme, starting with a test in 1998, will cost $60 million.
Source: Flight International
