National Technical Reports Library

The National Technical Information Service acquires, indexes, abstracts, and archives the largest collection of U.S. government-sponsored technical reports in existence. The NTRL offers online, free and open access to these authenticated government technical reports. Technical reports and documents in its repository may be available online for free either from the issuing federal agency, the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s Federal Digital System website, or through search engines.

Details

X-33 Linear Aerospike Engine.

N19990004339

Publication Date	1998
Personal Author	Vinson, J.
Page Count	5
Abstract	In July of 1999 two linear aerospike rocket engines will power the first flight of NASA's X-33 advanced technology demonstrator. The aerospike received serious consideration for NASA's current space shuttle, but was eventually rejected in 1969 in favor of high chamber pressure bell engines, in part because of perceived technical risk. The aerospike engine has several performance advantages over conventional bell engines. However, these performance advantages are difficult to validate by ground test. The X-33 demonstrator provides an opportunity to prove the aerospike's performance advantage in flight before commiting to an operational vehicle.
Keywords	X-33 reusable launch vehicle Aerospike engines Flight tests Ground tests Rocket engines Risk Space shuttles Space shuttle orbiters High pressure
Source Agency	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Corporate Authors	Lockheed Martin Corp., Palmdale, CA.; National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199909
Contract Number	NCC8-115

X-33 Linear Aerospike Engine.

X-33 Linear Aerospike Engine.
N19990004339

Publication Date	1998
Personal Author	Vinson, J.
Page Count	5
Abstract	In July of 1999 two linear aerospike rocket engines will power the first flight of NASA's X-33 advanced technology demonstrator. The aerospike received serious consideration for NASA's current space shuttle, but was eventually rejected in 1969 in favor of high chamber pressure bell engines, in part because of perceived technical risk. The aerospike engine has several performance advantages over conventional bell engines. However, these performance advantages are difficult to validate by ground test. The X-33 demonstrator provides an opportunity to prove the aerospike's performance advantage in flight before commiting to an operational vehicle.
Keywords	X-33 reusable launch vehicle Aerospike engines Flight tests Ground tests Rocket engines Risk Space shuttles Space shuttle orbiters High pressure
Source Agency	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Corporate Authors	Lockheed Martin Corp., Palmdale, CA.; National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC.
Document Type	Technical Report
NTIS Issue Number	199909
Contract Number	NCC8-115