Does the US Space Force Need a Fleet of Boeing X-40 Derived Multi-Use Spacecraft?

The Boeing X-40 is one of the first designs for a space vehicle that is made to be reusable, like the American space shuttle Columbia that was boosted to space and glided back.

Before using space shuttles, most spacecraft were not as reusable, and the US pioneered this spaceplane. Maybe it's time to resurrect the shuttle program and fix the bugs finally and avoid the same accidents that caused their destruction.

Multi-use space planes

The X-40 is designed as specialized spaceplanes that move on their power and reenter the earth's atmosphere. Later it glides black to earth on its power.

Only one of these X-40A test units is still around and on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The X-37B, which is in service with the US space force, reusable spaceplane. It is now in low earth orbit in one of its missions, according to Space.

There are some interesting facts about the X-40A and how it led to the creation of X-37B, as noted by Darold B. Cummings, the pioneer of ForzAero.

He holds about thirty-six patents in several fields that are relevant to the X-37. Part of his work covered several aspects like design analysis and other elements concerned.

Boeing X-40A features

One of the curious aspects of the Boeing X-40A was in the course of its testing. Cummings said that in 1998 when the space place had several features that would not have made it possible to land without mishaps.

These features were about low life to drag ratio, with a usually high attack angle but could land safely. Other technologies use materials that can manage highly how no has tested temperatures through unique material, including engines and propulsive thrusters for movement. He added that the spacecraft has been able to look for the runaway and adjust for the wind as it tries to get to the centerline.

Due to the relatively small wings had a high angle of attack to have life when it lands. This means the space plane will need to lower its nose when it does brake while landing.

According to Nationalist Interest, one of the systems on the vehicle is an onboard sensing system that will govern all aspects of flight. It is to get a streamlined landing that will constantly adjust the space plane's position to have the angle of attack, dynamic control of all factors that prevent the nose from slamming on the tarmac. On the first flight, the landing was done flawlessly.

The first Space Shuttle was based on this experimental craft that would usher in a new generation of space flight. It is also the first kind of mini space shuttle that came years before, and the craft can be used in low earth orbit as well.

Similar to the Boeing X-40 is the X-34 uncrewed space plane that was utilized for resupply missions. But Cummings said the US scrapped the program in 2001. Maybe resurrecting the program for the US Space Force will make a difference.