X-40A SMV

Specifications

Company- The Boeing Company
Type- Unmanned Space Vehicle.
Goals- USAF Space Maneuver Vehicle, dropped to validate autonomous landing.
Primary Testing Facility Research- Holloman AFB
Dimensions- Span- 11 ft, 6 in; Length- 21 ft, 5 in; Height- 7 ft, 5 in
Max Speed- 300 MPH
Range- N/A
Service Ceiling- N/A
Power Plant- None
Thrust- None
Weights- Loaded: 2,650 lbs
Payload- N/A
Flights- 7
Number of Prototypes Built- 1
Project Tenure- 1998-Present
Project Status- Ongoing

Information

The X-40A is an experimental vehicle shaped like the X-37 but lacking its advanced thermal protection materials. It is also 20 percent smaller than the X-37. Built by Boeing for the Air Force, it was released from a helicopter and glide-tested in 1998. Plans call for it to be drop tested from helicopters in 2000 to reduce risk before the X-37 is flight-tested.

** Information provided by NASA Dryden Research Center **