The first flight of the Orbital Sciences X-34 air-launched re-usable spaceplane technology demonstrator has been delayed from December 1998 to March 1999. NASA has also ordered a second X-34 to reduce risk and increase project flexibility.
The test objectives of the $67 million programme are also being expanded. The X-34 will be air launched and will fly up to Mach 8, at a maximum altitude of 250,000ft (76,250m), to demonstrate low-cost re-usability, autonomous landing, subsonic flights through inclement weather, safe abort conditions and landing in 20kt (35km/h) crosswinds.
Source: Flight International
