July 2, 1996
Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works has been selected to build the X-33 RLV demonstrator. The sub-orbital demonstrator will have as it's goal an increased understanding through experience of a wealth of new technologies applicable to single stage to orbit all rocket vehicles (and even to vehicles beyond all rocket).
First off, imagine much less integration. No tanks (ET's) to process off line. No boosters (SRB's) to stack. No tank to mate to boosters. No vehicle mating to an ET and SRB's.
Imagine a composite light weight structure.
Imagine inexpensive, robust and reusable graphite epoxy composite liquid hydrogen tanks.
Imagine the possibilities of an altitude compensating aerospike engine. Or the possibilities as far as structural integration as well as for integrated operability enhancing features such as differential throttling or an OMS system that shares hardware with the main propulsion system.
Imagine 1990's avionics and computers...imagine a launch control center with only a few people needed to launch, every week.
Imagine incorporating the lessons of Shuttle ...knowing why Shuttle is as expensive as it is and why each orbiter flies only a couple of times a year...and designing with an understanding of what is needed to be inexpensive and to fly often.
Imagine what comes after RLV from having redirected the resources now spent on a manpower intensive Shuttle fleet to the development of even cheaper transportation into space and beyond.
The possibilities are endless.
X-33 is not the end. The purpose of a demonstrator after all is to learn and to incorporate those lessons into an eventual full scale vehicle. The demonstrator allows the learning experience to occur while the cost is relatively lower. This avoids going into a full scale program and making expensive mistakes when least desirable - late in the show. Technology is matured for low cost operations so as to bring us closer to routine, affordable access to space.
The lifting body shape is not new but uniquely addresses the "wings or no wings" dilemma of endo-exoatmospheric flight.
(Here is one such past aircraft).
The future awaits. Lets do it right.
Return to KSC Next Gen Site
Edgar Zapata, NASA Kennedy Space Center
Shuttle Process Engineering Directorate, Fluid Systems Division