McDonnell Douglas DC-X Delta Clipper Experimental
DC-X was McDonnell Douglas’s uncrewed, low-altitude reusable rocket demonstrator for vertical takeoff, powered vertical landing and simplified ground operations. Eight flights from 1993 through 1995 explored hover, manoeuvring, autonomous landing and rapid turnaround. Four hydrogen/oxygen RL10A-5 engines powered the vehicle. It was subsequently rebuilt as DC-XA for NASA with lighter cryogenic tanks and improved reaction control. These demonstrators tested reusable-launch operations; they did not reach orbit.
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Identity
- Aliases
- DC-XDCXDelta Clipper Experimental
- Family Name
- Delta Clipper Experimental
- Full Name
- McDonnell Douglas DC-X Delta Clipper Experimental
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- rocket
Details
- Description
- DC-X was McDonnell Douglas’s uncrewed, low-altitude reusable rocket demonstrator for vertical takeoff, powered vertical landing and simplified ground operations. Eight flights from 1993 through 1995 explored hover, manoeuvring, autonomous landing and rapid turnaround. Four hydrogen/oxygen RL10A-5 engines powered the vehicle. It was subsequently rebuilt as DC-XA for NASA with lighter cryogenic tanks and improved reaction control. These demonstrators tested reusable-launch operations; they did not reach orbit.
- Dimensions
- Height
- …
- Width
- …
- First Flight Year
- 1,993
- Last Flight Year
- 1,995
- Manufacturer
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 4
- Placement
- core
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Name
- DC-X four RL10A-5 main engines
- Rocket Specs
- Liftoff Mass
- …
- Reusability
- fully_reusable
- Stages Count
- 1
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:19:49 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:19:49 UTC