A free flight test of the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle prototype was successfully completed Friday at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The test was the fourth free flight of the test vehicles in the X-38 program, and the second free flight test of Vehicle 132 or Ship 2.
The goal of this test flight was to release the vehicle from a higher altitude- 31,500 feet – and fly the vehicle 31 seconds longer. The project team also conducted aerodynamic verification maneuvers and check improvements made to the drogue parachute.
Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas with Dryden playing an important role in support of flight testing the X-38 vehicles, sponsors the X-38 program. The atmospheric tests of the X-38 began in July 1997.
Atmospheric drop tests of the X-38 will continue at Dryden for the next three years using increasingly complex test vehicles. The free flights will increase in altitude to a height of 45,000 feet and include longer flight times for the test craft before deployment of the parafoil.
In 2001, an unpiloted space test vehicle will be deployed from the Space Shuttle and descend to a landing.
