 |
Home :
Research :
Current Projects :
X-38 :
Goals and Objectives
|
 |
|
X-38 Program Goals and Objectives
The most immediate application of this innovative project is to develop
the technology for a prototype emergency crew return vehicle (CRV), or
lifeboat, for the International Space Station (ISS). But the project is
also aimed at developing a crew return vehicle design that could be
modified for other uses, such as a possible joint U.S. and international
human spacecraft that could be launched on the Ariane 5 booster. And the
goal is to develop the vehicle with an unprecedented eye toward efficiency,
taking advantage of available equipment and already developed technology
for as much as 80 percent of the spacecraft's design.
The original estimates to build a capsule-type CRV several years ago
amounted to more than $2 billion in total development cost. The X-38
concept could develop and build four operational CRVs, vehicles that are
more capable and versatile than earlier designs, for less than a quarter of
that.
In the early years of the International Space Station, a Russian Soyuz
spacecraft will be attached to the station as a CRV. But, as the size of
the crew aboard the station increases, a return vehicle like the CRV that
can accommodate up to seven passengers will be needed.
The initial demonstration of X-38 capabilities are divided into four phases. Click on the links below to view a description of these phases and the planned objectives:
|
|
 |
 |
|
Last Modified: February 13, 2001
Responsible NASA Official: Jenny Baer-Riedhart
Webmaster
NASA Web Privacy Statement
|
