The X-33 Extended Flight Test Range

Mackall, Dale A. and Sakahara, Robert and Kremer, Steven E. (1998) The X-33 Extended Flight Test Range. Technical Report NASA/TM-1998-206557, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

Development of an extended test range, with range instrumentation providing continuous vehicle communications, is required to flight-test the X-33, a scaled version of a reusable launch vehicle. The extended test range provides vehicle communications coverage from California to landing at Montana or Utah. This paper provides an overview of the approaches used to meet X-33 program requirements, including using multiple ground stations, and methods to reduce problems caused by reentry plasma radio frequency blackout. The advances used to develop the extended test range show other hypersonic and access-to-space programs can benefit from the development of the extended test range.

EPrint Type:	NASA Technical Memorandum
Keywords:	Extended test range, Radio frequency communications, Reentry plasma blackout, Reusable Launch Vehicle, X-33
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: X-33 (12 - 20) Astronautics: (17) Space Communications, Command And Tracking
ID Code:	158
Deposited On:	07 June 2004
Additional Information:	16 pages. Presented at the 39th International Telemetry Conference, San Diego, California, October 26–29, 1998. Dale Mackall, NASA Dryden, Edwards, California; Robert Sakahara, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards, California; Steven Kremer, NASA Goddard, Wallops Island, Virginia.