 able to fly from airport runways directly into Earth orbit and withstand temperatures up to 5,000 degrees. The National Aerospace Plane represents the future in aeronautics and space technology. NASA and the Department of Defense are co-sponsoring a unique cooperative effort among aerospace companies to design and develop the airframe materials and systems for the National Aerospace Plane scheduled to begin flights in the late 1990s. The Aerospace Plane follows in the footsteps of a distinguished series of experimental aircraft that overcame many obstacles. Beginning with the Bell X-1, Chuck Yeager's historic flight broke the sound barrier. In the 60s, the X-15 flew at seven times the speed of sound. More recently, the X-29, with its sophisticated forward swept wing design, proved advanced materials and computer-aided controls yield unmatched maneuverability. When the next experimental plane, the X-30, becomes a reality, it will harness a set of ramjets, scramjets, and finally rocket propulsion flying directly into orbit. The promise of low-cost access to space has also encouraged the Europeans and Japanese to begin working on their own versions of the space plane. While the interest in creating such a technology is very high, it presents unique and even daunting challenges. No existing plane or wind tunnel can duplicate the 17,500 miles per hour the X-30 will attain. Computer models are being used to simulate the shock waves and heat the X-30 will encounter as it roars through Earth's atmosphere nearly 30 times faster than a jet airliner. Materials for the plane must meet rival needs of strength, lightness, and ability to withstand searing temperatures at re-entry. Unlike a previous design resembling a Concorde, the new X-30's wide fuselage provides much of the plane's lift and reduces wingspan requirements. A wide nose directs airflow into the plane's air-breathing ramjet and scramjet engines. Dual vertical tails have been added for greater stability at all speeds. America's National Aerospace Plane, technology that promises affordable, efficient, and flexible access to space in the 21st century.