Model, X-33 VentureStar Reusable Launch Vehicle
notes: label: Summary
content: In 1996 NASA selected Lockheed Martin to build and fly the X-33 test vehicle to demonstrate advanced technologies for a new reusable launch vehicle to succeed the Space Shuttle. VentureStar was Lockheed's name for this future spaceplane concept. The Lockheed Skunk Works designed a lifting body shape with aerospike rocket engines and a metallic thermal protection system as a single-stage-to-orbit vehicle. The program was a joint NASA-industry effort to develop a new commercial launch vehicle, and the model bears decals of all the participating companies. NASA cancelled the project in 2001 before any test flights were carried out after some technical problems proved too difficult to solve. This model is a relic of an ambitious but failed attempt to validate a new spaceplane concept.
label: Summary
content: NASA transferred the model to the Museum in 2006.
place: label: Country of Origin
content: United States of America
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Air and Space Museum Collection
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Air and Space Museum
identifier: label: Inventory Number
content: A20060581000
objectType: label: Type
content: MODELS-Crewed Spacecraft & Parts
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: CC0
physicalDescription: label: Materials
content: Resin
label: Materials
content: Paint
label: Materials
content: Plastic
label: Materials
content: Adhesive
label: Dimensions
content: Overall: 43.2 x 40.6 x 12.2cm (17 x 16 x 4 13/16 in.)
label: Dimensions
content: Storage (With Stand): 58.4 x 52.1 x 24.1cm (23 in. x 20 1/2 in. x 9 1/2 in.)