NASA X-24B Lifting-Body Research Aircraft Family
The NASA X-24B was a rocket-assisted lifting-body research aircraft created by reshaping the earlier X-24A into a pointed double-delta planform. Air-launched from a B-52, it explored controllable high-speed glides, precise unpowered runway approaches, and the flight characteristics of shapes intended for atmospheric reentry; its results helped establish practical space-shuttle-style landing techniques.
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Identity
- Aliases
- X-24BMartin Marietta X-24BX-24B lifting bodyflying flatiron
- Family Name
- NASA X-24B
- Full Name
- NASA X-24B Lifting-Body Research Aircraft Family
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Description
- The NASA X-24B was a rocket-assisted lifting-body research aircraft created by reshaping the earlier X-24A into a pointed double-delta planform. Air-launched from a B-52, it explored controllable high-speed glides, precise unpowered runway approaches, and the flight characteristics of shapes intended for atmospheric reentry; its results helped establish practical space-shuttle-style landing techniques.
- First Flight Year
- 1,973
Links
- Official Url
- https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/x-24b/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 7, 2026 at 09:45:51 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 7, 2026 at 09:45:51 UTC