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NASA Meatball Dryden Flight Research Center

X-38 collage

Technical Plan

arrival X-38arrival Development and testing of the X-38 is broken into multiple phases, and Dryden participation is planned for the first four phases. Each phase utilizes existing technology, and to some extent, is built upon the previous phase. Johnson Space Center (JSC), the project lead, has designed this approach to implement a "pay as you go" philosophy. The following paragraphs summarize each of the first four phases. Table I is provided to summarize the various aspects of each of the four phases. The concept of the parachute recovery system is illustrated in Figure 1.

X-38 Phase Build-up

Table 1

Aspect Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4
Launch Vehicle Cessna C-130 B-52 w/Pylon B-52 w/Pylon
Flight Control Surfaces Subscale (4ft.) X-24A Full Scale (24ft.) Composite X-24A without fins; also mockups Full Scale (24ft.) Composite X-24A w/o center fins Full Scale (24ft.) Composite X-24A without fins
Active Control Surfaces None None Active Lower flaps and upper rudders Active lower flaps and upper rudders
A/C Guidance Hardware None None Central Computer (JSC) Space Quality Computer (JSC)
A/C Guidance Software None None Developed by JSC with Dryden inputs Developed by JSC
Engine None None None Solid rocket(s) (possible)
Parachute Guidance System Manual via uplink control GPADS (Pioneer/Army) GPADS (Pioneer/Army) Pioneer (Spacecraft Refinements
Parachute 88 sq. ft. Wedge II 7350 sq. ft. GPADS 7350 sq. ft. GPADS Modified (tight pack) 7350 sq. ft. GPADS
Instrumentation Package 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis rate gyro Approximately 30 parameters to be installed by DFRC and/or JSC Approximately 400 channels installed by JSC TBD
First Flight Date August 1995 December 1995 January 1997  



Last Modified: February 13, 2001
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