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

Astronaut C. Michael Foale floats in galley of the Space Station.
FEATURED PHOTO
Space chores


Marshall Headlines

NASA, Air Force team achieves key milestones on next-generation engine

Marshall's James Smith catches one of solar system's biggest shows

 

 


Managed by:
Marshall Media Relations

NASA official: June Malone
Contact the
Webmaster

 


X-43A vehicleX-43A
Graphic for spacer line


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. The next flight test of the X-43A is scheduled for January 2004.

Photo
X-43A fact sheet

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