Space Article Index : Current 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics

December 22, 2000

NASA's X-38 Crew Return Vehicle prototype (designed as a lifeboat for the International Space Station) made a successful test landing on 2 Nov. The spacecraft was released at high altitude by a B-52 bomber. Due to unknown problems with the flight control software, the unmanned X-38 conducted an unscheduled 360-degree roll just after release from the bomber. The X-38 is an 80%-scale version of the future "lifeboat" CRV.--Stephen V Cole