Jim Cast

Headquarters, Washington, DC June 25, 1999

(Phone: 202/358-1779)

Leslie A. Mathews
Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
(Phone: 661/258-3893)

Dominic Amatore
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
(Phone: 256/544-0031)

Barron Beneski
Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, VA
(Phone: 703/406-5000)

RELEASE: 99-73

X-34 ROCKET PLANE TAKES TO THE SKY AS PART OF SAFETY CHECK

Locked to the belly of its newly modified L-1011 carrier

aircraft, a test version of NASA's X-34 rocket plane is
scheduled to make its first flight next week. The prototype
of the robotic spacecraft will test new technologies and
methods of operations needed to develop low-cost reusable
space vehicles.

The first flight will begin at approximately 11 a.m. EDT

on Tuesday, June 29, from NASA's Dryden Flight Research
Center, Edwards, CA. In this series of flights, the L-1011
and X-34 maneuvers will include a simulated launch flight.
This captive-carry flight, in which the aircraft and test
vehicle remain combined, will check for potentially hazardous
conditions that may have resulted from modifications made to
the L-1011 to enable it to carry the X-34.

When powered flights of the X-34 begin later this year,

the experimental vehicle will be carried aloft by the L-1011,
then released for rocket-powered flight and a standard
horizontal landing. Eventually, the X-34 will perform high-
speed suborbital free flights to demonstrate technologies
such as advanced thermal protection system, composite
structural components and autonomous landing.

The operational program is designed to demonstrate that

reusable launch vehicles can be more reliable, fly more often
and in worse conditions than current vehicles using a smaller
operations team.

This captive-carry flight is the first of several tests

that will be conducted as part of a Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) certification process for the mated
vehicles. When a commercial airplane like the L-1011 is
altered, the FAA must certify that the changes have not
adversely affected the plane's safe operation.

The unpiloted X-34 is a single-engine rocket plane that

will fly itself with onboard computers. It measures
approximately 58 feet long, 11 feet tall and 28 feet across
the wings. It will be powered by the new Fastrac engine,
designed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville,
AL, which also manages the X-34 program for NASA.

Dryden Flight Research Center is supporting the captive-

carry part of the program with flight testing and ground
vibration tests. In 1996, NASA awarded Orbital Sciences
Corp., Dulles, VA, a contract now worth $85.7 million to
design, build and test fly the X-34. The contract includes a
structural test vehicle for vibration and captive carry
flights and two flight vehicles. Orbital Sciences
Corporation, Dulles, VA owns the L-1011, which also launches
the company's Pegasus Launch Vehicle.

- end -

Note to Editors/News Directors: NASA Television will

carry live coverage of the June 29 flight during the noon EDT
NASA Video File. Video showing the mating of the L-1011 with
the X-34 and a walk around the mated vehicles with an
explanation of modifications made to the L-1011 will be
included in the coverage.

NASA Television may be accessed via satellite GE-2,

transponder 9C, at 85 degrees west longitude, with vertical
polarization. Frequency is on 3880.0 megahertz, with audio on
6.8 megahertz.

For press accreditation at the Dryden Flight Research

Center please contact Leslie Mathews (phone: 805/258-3893;
fax: 805/258-3566) or send e-mail to:

leslie.mathews@dfrc.nasa.gov

For more information on the Advanced Space

Transportation Program, visit its Web site:

http://stp.msfc.nasa.gov