NASA and Lockheed Martin are studying a concept of using the X-38 International Space Station (ISS) Crew Return Vehicle and the proposed Lockheed Martin VentureStar single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane to provide an alternative to the Space Shuttle.
The X-38, a prototype of which is being prepared for its second automatic atmospheric glide test flight, will provide emergency crew-return capability from the ISS for six crew members.
The re-entry vehicle will be launched to the ISS in the Space Shuttle's payload bay and will be manned only for the return journey.
A simulated unmanned ISS return flight will be made during a Shuttle mission in 2001.
Launching the X-38 with a six-person crew piggyback on the VentureStar will be studied as an alternative way of reaching the ISS.
The study is just a concept since the VentureStar is not yet funded and its private future development - with a little help from NASA - depends on a successful series of up to 15 test flights by a half-scale technology demonstrator, the X-33.
Jerry Rising, vice-president for the X-33/VentureStar programmes, says "-the X-33 will be rolled out in May 1999 and its first flight is scheduled for July 1999". The first five flights of the X-33 will study characteristics at speeds from Mach 9 to Mach 11 and an altitude of up to 165,000ft (50,000m) on flights from Edwards AFB, California, over 450nm (720km) to Utah, and lasting 14mins.
Source: Flight Daily News
