Orbital Sciences X-34 Advanced Technology Demonstrator Spaceplane Family
The Orbital Sciences X-34 was an uncrewed, reusable rocket-plane technology testbed developed with NASA to demonstrate low-cost reusable-launch operations, composite structures, automated flight control, and runway landing. Two airframes were completed; the prototype made three captive-carry flights from an Orbital L-1011 in 1999, but the X-34 never made a powered flight and NASA ended the program on March 31, 2001.
Follow this vehicle family
Alerts for directly linked future launches and major activity.
Identity
- Aliases
- X-34X-34 Advanced Technology DemonstratorX-34 Technology Testbed DemonstratorX-34 TTD
- Family Name
- Orbital Sciences X-34
- Full Name
- Orbital Sciences X-34 Advanced Technology Demonstrator Spaceplane Family
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- canceled
- Type
- spaceplane
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Description
- The Orbital Sciences X-34 was an uncrewed, reusable rocket-plane technology testbed developed with NASA to demonstrate low-cost reusable-launch operations, composite structures, automated flight control, and runway landing. Two airframes were completed; the prototype made three captive-carry flights from an Orbital L-1011 in 1999, but the X-34 never made a powered flight and NASA ended the program on March 31, 2001.
- First Flight Year
- 1,999
- Last Flight Year
- 1,999
- Manufacturer
- Spacecraft Specs
- Reusability
- fully_reusable
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 21:33:10 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 21:33:10 UTC