McDonnell Douglas DC-XA Clipper Graham
DC-XA was the upgraded configuration of the DC-X demonstrator tested by NASA and the Department of Defense in 1996. A graphite-epoxy hydrogen tank, aluminium-lithium oxygen tank, lightweight intertank and improved reaction control reduced dry mass by about 620 kg. Four flights included two launches separated by 26 hours. On 31 July 1996 one landing strut failed to extend; the vehicle tipped over and was destroyed in the resulting fire. Its low-altitude tests demonstrated reusable operations, not single-stage access to orbit.
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Identity
- Aliases
- DC-XADCXAClipper GrahamDelta Clipper Advanced
- Family Name
- Delta Clipper Experimental
- Full Name
- McDonnell Douglas DC-XA Clipper Graham
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- rocket
- Variant Name
- DC-XA
Details
- Description
- DC-XA was the upgraded configuration of the DC-X demonstrator tested by NASA and the Department of Defense in 1996. A graphite-epoxy hydrogen tank, aluminium-lithium oxygen tank, lightweight intertank and improved reaction control reduced dry mass by about 620 kg. Four flights included two launches separated by 26 hours. On 31 July 1996 one landing strut failed to extend; the vehicle tipped over and was destroyed in the resulting fire. Its low-altitude tests demonstrated reusable operations, not single-stage access to orbit.
- First Flight Year
- 1,996
- Last Flight Year
- 1,996
- Manufacturer
- Parent Vehicle Family
- Rocket Specs
- Reusability
- fully_reusable
- Stages Count
- 1
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:19:50 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:19:50 UTC