The Delta Clipper Experimental Advanced
was a modified version of the DC-X. It had a lightweight graphite-epoxy liquid hydrogen
tank and an advanced graphite/aluminum honeycomb intertank built by McDonnell Douglas;
an aluminum-lithium liquid oxygen tank built by Energia; and an improved reaction
control system from Aerojet. These improvements reduced dry vehicle mass by 620 kilograms.
The DC-XA was operated by NASA and the Department of Defense under the Reusable Launch
Vehicle program. The flight vehicle was tested at White Sands during the summer of
1996, and demonstrated a 26-hour turnaround between its second and third flights,
a first for any rocket. After the fourth flight, however, the DC-XA suffered severe
damage and the program ended due to lack of funding.
|
Delta Clipper-Experimental
Advanced (DC-XA) Test Program |
|---|
|
Rollout |
March
15, 1996 | |
Arrival at White Sands |
March
22, 1996 | |
Engine Test 1 |
May
4, 1996 | |
Engine Test 2 |
May
7, 1996 | |
Flight |
Launch Date |
Time (MDT) |
Duration
(sec) |
Altitude (m) |
Description |
|---|
|
1 |
May
18, 1996 |
0814 |
62 |
244 |
First flight of the
DC-XA; aeroshell caught fire during slow landing. | |
2 |
June
7, 1996 |
1015 |
64 |
590 |
Maximum structural stresses
with 50% full LOX tank. | |
3 |
June 8, 1996 |
1217 |
142 |
3140 |
26-hour
rapid turnaround demostration; new altitude and duration record. | |
4 |
July
31, 1996 |
1315 |
140 |
1250 |
Landing strut 2 failed
to extend; vehicle tipped over and LOX tank exploded; vehicle destroyed. |
|
