The X-33 model about to touchdown on a lakebed.
EC98-44814-11
The X-33 model about to touchdown on a lakebed. Dale Reed and others employed models to try out the low-speed aerodynamics of different lifting body shapes. Simple and low cost, these tests enabled the designs to be tested before a full-scale vehicle was built.1998NASA Photo / Tom Tschida› X-33 Project Description