NASA X-38 Prototype Crew Return Vehicle Spaceplane Family
The NASA X-38 was a series of uncrewed prototype research vehicles for an International Space Station Crew Return Vehicle. Its wingless lifting-body configuration used automatic flight control, a steerable parafoil, and runway or lakebed recovery concepts to demonstrate an emergency return spacecraft for up to seven crew members; three atmospheric test vehicles flew free-flight and captive-carry missions before the project ended.
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Identity
- Aliases
- X-38X-38 CRVCrew Return VehicleCRV prototypeX-38 Prototype Crew Return Vehicle
- Family Name
- NASA X-38 Crew Return Vehicle
- Full Name
- NASA X-38 Prototype Crew Return Vehicle Spaceplane Family
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- canceled
- Type
- spaceplane
Details
- Description
- The NASA X-38 was a series of uncrewed prototype research vehicles for an International Space Station Crew Return Vehicle. Its wingless lifting-body configuration used automatic flight control, a steerable parafoil, and runway or lakebed recovery concepts to demonstrate an emergency return spacecraft for up to seven crew members; three atmospheric test vehicles flew free-flight and captive-carry missions before the project ended.
- Dimensions
- Height M
- 2.56032
- Length M
- 7.4676
- Spacecraft Specs
- Reusability
- fully_reusable
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 15, 2026 at 03:22:21 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 15, 2026 at 03:22:21 UTC