The Rockwell X-30 was the planned technology demonstrator of the United States National Aero-Space Plane programme, which aimed at a single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft and passenger spaceliner. The programme started in 1986, and in 1990 the competing airframe companies joined under the direction of Rockwell International to develop the craft. It was to have a crew of two, a shovel-shaped forward fuselage integrated with a scramjet engine, and slush hydrogen fuel. It was designed at about 48.8 metres long with a gross weight of about 136,000 kilograms. Cost, weight growth and technical concerns led to the programme being terminated in 1993 before a prototype flew, although much work on materials was carried on.
Facts
Engine Class Connections
Exemplifies
Source Rockwell X-30 (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Rockwell X-30 (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Rockwell X-30 (Wikipedia)
Lead, programme start
Started in 1986, it was cancelled in the early 1990s before a prototype was completed
Development, termination
The X-30 program was terminated amid budget cuts and technical concerns in 1993.
Specifications, powerplant
Powerplant: 1 × scramjet
Specifications, propellants
Propellants: air/slush LH2
Lead
The Rockwell X-30 was an advanced technology demonstrator project
Lead, programme
part of a United States project to create a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spacecraft
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, mode
a United States project to create a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spacecraft and passenger spaceliner
In Group: Rocket-Powered and Hypersonic Research Aircraft, Design
The X-30 configuration integrated engine and fuselage.
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