Graphic for NGLT bannerLink to NGLT news indexLink to NGLT media galleryLink to NGLT contact and services pageLink to NGLT background informationLink to NGLT fact sheets and tech summariesLink to NGLT news home pageLink to NGLT News web siteClick here to skip navigational links


Technology demonstrators graphic

Artist rendering of the RS-84 engine

BEP
NASA's Booster Engine Prototype (BEP) effort seeks to deliver a large-scale, prototype liquid-oxygen/kerosene engine system that will enable development of full-scale, flight-ready engines for a next generation reusable booster.

IPD graphic

IPD
The Integrated Powerhead Demonstrator (IPD) project — which seeks to double the capability of booster engines providing access to space — is contributing new engine technologies for NGLT and Department of Defense propulsion research.

X-43A vehicle

X-43A
The first demonstrator vehicle in NASA's "Hyper-X" series of experimental hypersonic ground and flight test vehicles, the X-43A will demonstrate "air-breathing" engine technologies for future hypersonic aircraft and/or reusable space launch vehicles, achieving speeds above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound.

Artist rendering of an air-breathing hypersonic flight demonstrator

TBCC/RTA
The Turbine-Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) engine project seeks to deliver a Mach 4+ hypersonic propulsion system in this decade. Prime among its enabling technologies: the Revolutionary Turbine Accelerator (RTA), intended to demonstrate high mach turbine and TBCC propulsion for space access.

RBCC/ ISTAR
NASA is developing a Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) engine system for ground demonstration in this decade. The Integrated System Test of an Air-breathing Rocket (ISTAR) project is NASA's first flight-type system development and ground test of an RBCC propulsion system.

 

Link to NASA artworkLink to SLI fact sheetLink to contract awardsLink to SLI partnersLink to vehicle conceptsLink to vehicle animations

Link to Marshall Newsroom

Chandra image of the elliptical galaxy NGC 4261
FEATURED PHOTO
Ancient collision


Marshall Headlines

Chandra reveals vast trail of black holes and neutron stars

Researchers work on technology to help people go to Mars

 

 

Managed by:
Marshall Media Relations

NASA official: June Malone
Contact the Webmaster

 

NGLT MEDIA GALLERY
Graphic for spacer line

Hypersonics artist concepts

Thumbnails link to high-resolution versions of photos.


Photo description: X-43A vehicle The first demonstrator vehicle in NASA's "Hyper-X" series of experimental hypersonic ground and flight test vehicles, the X-43A will demonstrate "air-breathing" engine technologies for future hypersonic aircraft and/or reusable space launch vehicles, achieving speeds above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. The X-43A is intended to dramatically increase payload capacity or reduce vehicle size. A successful flight could mark the first time a non-rocket, air-breathing supersonic-combustion ramjet — or "scramjet" — engine has powered a vehicle in flight at hypersonic speeds. (NASA/Dryden)


Photo description: An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43B -- the third and largest of NASA's Hyper-X series flight demonstrators -- which could fly later this decade. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43B — the third and largest of NASA's Hyper-X series flight demonstrators — which could fly later this decade. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. (Media Fusion, Inc./NASA)


Photo description: An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43B -- the third and largest of NASA's Hyper-X series flight demonstrators -- which could fly later this decade. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43B — the third and largest of NASA's Hyper-X series flight demonstrators — which could fly later this decade. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. (Media Fusion, Inc./NASA)


Photo description: An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43B -- the third and largest of NASA's Hyper-X series flight demonstrators -- which could fly later this decade. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43B — the third and largest of NASA's Hyper-X series flight demonstrators — which could fly later this decade. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. (Media Fusion, Inc./NASA)


Photo description: An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43C, part of NASA's Hyper-X series of flight demonstrators. Now in development, the X-43C is expected to accelerate a maximum potential speed about 5,000 mph, and could undergo flight-testing as early 2008. NASA will develop, test fly over next two decades support development future-generation reusable launch vehicles improved access space. An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43C, part of NASA's Hyper-X series of flight demonstrators. Now in development, the X-43C is expected to accelerate to a maximum potential speed of about 5,000 mph, and could undergo flight-testing as early as 2008. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. (Media Fusion, Inc./NASA)


Photo description: An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43C, part of NASA's Hyper-X series of flight demonstrators. Now in development, the X-43C is expected to accelerate to a maximum potential speed of about 5,000 mph, and could undergo flight-testing as early as 2008. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. An artist's rendering of the air-breathing, hypersonic X-43C, part of NASA's Hyper-X series of flight demonstrators. Now in development, the X-43C is expected to accelerate to a maximum potential speed of about 5,000 mph, and could undergo flight-testing as early as 2008. NASA will develop, test and fly the Hyper-X series over the next two decades to support development of future-generation reusable launch vehicles and improved access to space. (Media Fusion, Inc./NASA)

NGLT graphicLink to NASA centersLink to NGLT government partnersLink to NGLT galleryLink to NGLT fact sheets and tech summariesLink to NAI informationLink to NGLT industry partnersLink to SLI newsLink to NGLT academia partners


 

Graphic for spacer