Within three hours, the engines are fired to deorbit, and the deorbit module is then jettisoned. As it descends, the wingless craft generates lift with its body and maneuvers to fly to the landing site. As air pressure increases, body flaps and rudders steer. As the craft stabilizes, the giant main parafoil begins it deployment and the drogue is cut away. In five stages to ensure a gentle descent, the parafoil slowly opens.
Winches pull on lines to steer the parafoil, in the same way a skydiver steers, to the landing site.
This X-38 space test vehicle, built at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, will be released from the space shuttle. Under Construction An X-38 space test vehicle built at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, will be released from the space shuttle in 2003 for an uncrewed flight. The innovative, high-tech construction uses computerized design, automated fabrication and computerized, laser inspection of components to reduce costs.