NASA plans to begin ground tests of the X-34 reusable launch vehicle testbed on the dry lakebed at Edwards AFB, California, in mid-February, with flight tests planned for mid-year.
The ground tests will involve towing the 17.7m (6ft)-long suborbital X-34 behind a truck for more than 3,000m across Rogers dry lake.
During the planned test sequence, involving up to 16 runs, the X-34 will be pulled at speeds of up to 70kt (130km/h) before being released to test the guidance and navigation system, nosewheel steering, braking, rudder speed brake and rudder steering.
Pending successful completion of the ground tests, the vehicle will be attached below a Lockheed L-1011 owned by Orbital Sciences - manufacturer of the X-34 - for captive carry tests. These are required for US Federal Aviation Administration certification testing before the start of unpowered-glide test flights. These are expected to begin around mid-year at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
This will pave the way for powered flights, which NASA plans to begin by the end of the year, using two further X-34 vehicles designated the A-2 and A-3.
Source: Flight International
