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.c The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Hoping to develop technology to replace its aging space shuttles, NASA has awarded Boeing a $301 million contract to complete the X-37 spaceplane.
St. Louis-based Boeing Phantom Works announced Monday it will complete its X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle and conduct flight tests as part of the Space Launch Initiative, a $4.8 billion NASA program.
``The X-37 is a technology demonstrator, just proving certain technologies that will ultimately lead to a replacement for the space shuttle,'' said Bill Cole, a spokesperson for Phantom Works.
With the contract, Boeing will complete the final assembly of the unmanned X-37 and conduct a flight test in April 2004.
The contract also initiates a design for an additional X-37 long-duration orbital vehicle, scheduled to be tested in July 2006.
The plane, 27.5 feet long with a wingspan of 15 feet, is in final assembly at the Boeing Phantom Works X-Vehicle Assembly Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
When fielded, the unpiloted and autonomously operated X-37 will be the only X-vehicle capable of conducting continuous on-orbit operations for up to 21 days.
The vehicle also will serve as a test bed for approximately 30 airframe, propulsion and operation technologies, such as a high-temperature thermal protection system.

On the Net:

Space Launch Intiative: www.slinews.com


 
11/26/02 09:52 EST
   
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