Reading level:
Martin Marietta X-24A
Martin Marietta · Lifting Body Low L/D Reentry Research Aircraft · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)
The Martin Marietta X-24 is an American experimental aircraft developed from a joint United States Air Force–NASA program named PILOT (1963–1975). It was designed and built to test lifting body concepts, experimenting with the concept of unpowered reentry and landing, later used by the Space Shuttle. Originally built as the X-24A, the aircraft was later rebuilt as the X-24B.
Specifications
- Category
- Fixed Wing
- Sub-Category
- Experimental
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Early Jet (1946–1969)
- Country
- USA
- Manufacturer
- Martin Marietta
- Operator
- USAF / NASA
- Primary Role
- Lifting Body Low L/D Reentry Research Aircraft
- Status
- Retired
- Service Entry
- 1969
- Propulsion
- Rocket
- Engine
- Thiokol XLR11-RM-13 rocket (4-chamber)
- Thrust / Power
- 8,480 lbf
- Launch
- Air (B-52 mothership)
- Length (ft)
- 24.5
- Wingspan (ft)
- 13.6
- Empty Weight (lb)
- 6,270
- MTOW (lb)
- 11,000
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 71,400
- Max Speed (mph)
- 1,036
- Max Speed (Mach)
- 1.6