Rockwell X-30
| X-30 NASP | |
|---|---|
| An artist's concept of the X-30 entering orbit | |
| General information | |
| Type | Single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane |
| Manufacturer | Rockwell International |
| Status | Cancelled in 1993 |
| Primary user | NASA |
The Rockwell X-30 was an advanced technology demonstrator project for the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP), part of a United States project to create a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spacecraft and passenger spaceliner. Started in 1986, it was cancelled in the early 1990s before a prototype was completed, although much development work in advanced materials and aerospace design was completed. While a goal of a future NASP was a passenger liner (the Orient Express) capable of two-hour flights from Washington to Tokyo, the X-30 was planned for a crew of two and oriented towards testing.