Lockheed Martin X-33

E512390

The Lockheed Martin X-33 was an experimental, unmanned, subscale technology demonstrator intended to validate key technologies for a reusable single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
X-33 VentureStar technology demonstrator 1

Statements (50)

Predicate Object
instanceOf experimental spaceplane
lifting-body vehicle
subscale prototype
technology demonstrator
unmanned spacecraft
cancellationReason cost overruns
technical problems with composite cryogenic tanks
cancellationYear 2001
controlSurfaces aerodynamic flaps and body flaps
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
crew unmanned
designFeature autonomous flight control system
composite liquid hydrogen tanks
integrated composite structures
lifting-body shape
metallic thermal protection system
engineType aerospike rocket engine
flightProfile suborbital
fuelType liquid hydrogen
fundingAgency NASA NERFINISHED
intendedEngineModel Rocketdyne XRS-2200 linear aerospike NERFINISHED
intendedFirstFlightYear 1999
intendedLaunchMode single-stage-to-orbit concept validation
intendedOrbitType low Earth orbit (for full-scale VentureStar)
intendedReusability fully reusable launch vehicle demonstrator
landingConfiguration horizontal landing
launchConfiguration vertical takeoff
manufacturer Lockheed Martin NERFINISHED
materialUsed graphite-epoxy composite
neverFlew true
numberOfFlightsPlanned 15
operator NASA
oxidizerType liquid oxygen
partOf VentureStar program NERFINISHED
plannedLandingSite Michael Army Airfield, Utah NERFINISHED
plannedLaunchSite Edwards Air Force Base NERFINISHED
programGoal demonstrate rapid turnaround operations for reusable launch vehicles
programName X-33 Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator NERFINISHED
programStartYear 1996
programType NASA X-plane program NERFINISHED
propulsionType rocket
purpose demonstration of single-stage-to-orbit concepts
reduction of cost to low Earth orbit
validation of reusable launch vehicle technologies
relatedVehicle Lockheed Martin VentureStar NERFINISHED
scaleRelativeToVentureStar subscale
status cancelled
testSitePlanned Edwards Air Force Base NERFINISHED
thermalProtectionSystemType metallic shingles
wingConfiguration tailless lifting body

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Lockheed Martin X-series hasPart Lockheed Martin X-33
NASA X-plane series includes Lockheed Martin X-33
NASA X-plane series includes Lockheed Martin X-33
this entity surface form: X-33 VentureStar technology demonstrator
Lockheed Martin X-series notableAircraft Lockheed Martin X-33