a sleek research vehicle called the
national aerospace plane may one day
take off from the runway on this
california desert lake bed
the aerospace plane will
to take off like an airliner and climb
to the edge of space
this technology promises to give
efficient and flexible access to space
in the 21st century
for now the x30 as it's also called is
flown only with simulators
although the plane is not heavy
it sponsors nasa and the department of
defense companies are working together
advanced computer technology and
mathematical models are used to design a
vehicle capable of speeds up to 17
hundred miles per hour
speed so fast
they can't be duplicated in wind tunnels
and other experimental facilities
computers have to be used to simulate
the shock waves and air flows the x-30
will encounter
materials for the plane's skin must
withstand syrian temperatures for
extended periods of time
composites such as carbon carbon
ceramics and alloys of titanium and
aluminum are being tested
nasa and the air force flew an
experimental aircraft called the x-15 in
the
times 1960s speed of sound at altitudes
grazing the fringes of space
the next step is an experimental
aerospace plane that can travel 25 times
the speed of sound
about 30 times faster than a jet
airliner
the ultimate goal
to demonstrate the technologies which
will allow efficient flexible access to
space
vehicles incorporating x30 technology
may someday deliver satellites into
orbit
and visit space station freedom
drawing on the nation's most
sophisticated research efforts the
national aerospace plane will help
maintain world leadership for the united
states in aeronautics and space
technology
meeting this challenge can help today's
most ambitious space plans become
tomorrow's reality