The X-38, a research vehicle built to help develop technology for an emergency Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), made a gentle lakebed landing at the end of a July 1999 test flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA.
EC99-45080-101
The X-38, a research vehicle built to help develop technology for an emergency Crew Return Vehicle (CRV), made a gentle lakebed landing at the end of a July 1999 test flight at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. It 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 flight was to release the vehicle from a higher altitude – 31,500 feet – and to fly the vehicle longer – 31 seconds – than any previous X-38 vehicle had flown. The project team also conducted aerodynamic verification maneuvers and checked improvements made to the drogue parachute.July 1999NASA Photo / Tony Landis› X-38 Project Description