# Presentation: 532991

## Future-X Pathfinder

**Experimental Flight Vehicles for the **
**Future of Space Transportation**

## Future-X Pathfinder

**Flight vehicles and experiments  to improve space  launch and orbital transfer**
**Improve safety**
**Improve reliability**
**Reduce cost**

**Notes:**
The Future-X Pathfinder program is developing flight vehicles and experiments to improve space launch and orbital transfer issues.  The research addresses the need to transfer vehicle concepts from the laboratory to “real world” applications.

This program will improve the safety and reliability of access to space while dramatically reducing the cost of space transportation systems.

## Future-X Pathfinder

_**X-34**_
**Demonstrate operational and vehicle technologies that lead to increased safety and reliability**
**Air launched**
**Rocket powered**
**Horizontal landing**

**Notes:**
The X-34 project demonstrates the key operational and vehicle technologies that lead to increased safety and reliability.
The X-34 is an air-launched, rocket-powered, horizontal landing vehicle capable of attaining hypersonic flight to Mach 8 and altitudes of at least 250,000 feet.

## Future-X Pathfinder

_**X-37**_
**Demonstrate technologies for both orbital and reentry environments**

**Notes:**
The X-37 demonstrates key technologies for both orbital and reentry environments on a modular, orbital experimental vehicle.  
The X-37 space plane can be carried into orbit by the Space Shuttle or expendable rocket.   While in orbit for up to 21 days,  it can perform a variety of experiments before reentering the atmosphere and landing on a conventional runway.

## Future-X Pathfinder

_**Flight Experiments**_
**Flight testing technologies that enable safer, lower cost transportation systems that are reliable, simpler and offer more operable space**
**Autonomous Abort Landing System**
**Sharp-B2**
**Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System**
**Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring**
**Cryogenic Propellant Gauge**
**Small Payload Experiment**
**Hall Effect Thruster**
**Composite LOx Tank**

**Notes:**
The Flight Experiments project focuses on flight testing technologies that enable safer, lower cost transportation systems that are reliable, simpler and offer more operable space.
Flight Experiments in the Future-X Pathfinder program consist of a wide variety of experiments.  Project include:
Autonomous Abort Landing System which  is working to reduce the number of ground personnel needed for flight planning and to reduce the risk of vehicle loss.
Sharp-B2 project, which is using ultra-high temperature ceramics for the sharp, leading edges of hypersonic vehicles.
Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System is demonstrating electrodynamic tethers to provide propulsion in space.
Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring is developing health monitoring components to reduce turnaround time and operations cost of reusable launch vehicles.
Cryogenic Propellant Gauge provides an accurate measurement of cryogenic liquid in space.
Small Payload Experiment is working to eliminate the need to desing and build unique spacecraft components.
Hall Effect Thruster will decrease payload propellant loading.
Composite LOx Tank is a reusable, composite liquid oxygen tank for reduced weight and cost.