@jerryaltman Well, it's not a parachute, it's a parafoil - an airfoil inflated by ram pressure, so it's rather a wing, than a parachute.
I think, that the X-32 could land without it, but the landing speed would be perhaps in order of 200 knots (I do not know the exact number, this is just my guess from the shape and weight)
That kind of lading speed is unacceptable if you do not have pilots on board. The scenario for X-38 assumed that the occupants could be injured or otherwise incapacitated.
The reason the Parachute was needed is that lifting bodies generally have a pretty high stall speed. This way, you could land at a lower speed which would be safer, less stressful to the astronauts, and less damaging to the spacecraft since it doesn't use landing gear or skids.
Cool Video! I was hoping they would have used this design as it's a direct decedent of the old USAF Dyna-Soar project from the late 50's . Great work what software did you use?
I had this video from the now defunct X-38 website. I did not make it. It is my opinion that it was wrong to cancel this program. We really need an additional lifeboat for the ISS besides the Soyuz.
Such a futurist machine and all, and then it needs an archaic parachute...
MrFranciscoFidalgo 1 year ago
Dear All,
I have some question about psychology:
(1) Why do we love aspace travel?
(2) Why do we enjoy to design and to build new space craft?
(3) Why do we like to be "space tourist" for space holiday?
(4) What will be the most desirable design space craft in the coming future that will fit our life-style?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for your creative ideas and brainstorm!!! :)
applesweeter 1 year ago
The best X-38 documentaryfilm, not animation
watch?v=b2lpYyAAG8E&NR=1
-A 6min 49sek film on construction(what, where)
- astronauttraining in the womitcomet for the X-38
- droptesting from B-52
- flight, parachutelaunchsequense and landing.
-narreted by techpersonell
Enjoy (Norway, Oct 8, 09)
asmundhagen 2 years ago
Would this actually work?
chivone21 4 years ago 3
Yup, It would.
Helge129 3 years ago 2
in the mind of an american, hahaha
jrjr18181 3 years ago
Cant it land without the parachute?
jerryaltman 4 years ago
It does need the parachute to slow it down, it has skids not landing gear. Basically it is like a capsule.
sixpackgenius 4 years ago
well,space shuttle uses wings for gliding and for
landing
boolykbol 2 years ago
@jerryaltman Well, it's not a parachute, it's a parafoil - an airfoil inflated by ram pressure, so it's rather a wing, than a parachute.
I think, that the X-32 could land without it, but the landing speed would be perhaps in order of 200 knots (I do not know the exact number, this is just my guess from the shape and weight)
That kind of lading speed is unacceptable if you do not have pilots on board. The scenario for X-38 assumed that the occupants could be injured or otherwise incapacitated.
flamesholder 1 year ago
@flamesholder Thank you for the quality information.
jerryaltman 1 year ago
The reason the Parachute was needed is that lifting bodies generally have a pretty high stall speed. This way, you could land at a lower speed which would be safer, less stressful to the astronauts, and less damaging to the spacecraft since it doesn't use landing gear or skids.
MadMichigander1313 1 year ago
Cool Video! I was hoping they would have used this design as it's a direct decedent of the old USAF Dyna-Soar project from the late 50's . Great work what software did you use?
SpaceIntruderDetecto 4 years ago
I had this video from the now defunct X-38 website. I did not make it. It is my opinion that it was wrong to cancel this program. We really need an additional lifeboat for the ISS besides the Soyuz.
sixpackgenius 4 years ago