
North American X-15 at Astronautix
Image credit: USAF
Image source: National Archives
X-33 at Astronautix
Image credit: NASA
Image source: NASA DFRC
330-PSA-279-62 (USAF 167026): Artwork by George Mathis of how the Air Force Titan III Standard Launch Vehicle may look boosting the United States Air Force X-20 (Dyna-Soar) into orbit, August 1962.
Image credit: Boeing
Image source: National Museum of U.S. Navy
FOR RELEASE AT 9:00 A.M., PDT, SEPTEMBER 22, 1960
DYNA SOAR GLIDER RE-ENTERING EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE
This is a Boeing artist’s impression of how the Dyna Soar manned space glider will look when it re-enters the earth’s atmosphere after a flight into space. Leading edges of the craft will glow from the heat created by the friction of the vehicle passing into the atmosphere. Dyna Soar will be boosted into space by a modified Titan intercontinental ballistic missile. After being separated from its booster, the glider will be left in a piloted, near orbital flight. Its pilot later could glide to a conventional landing at an Air Force base. The Boeing Company, under supervision of the Air Force, is prime contractor for the system and the glider. The Martin Company is prime contractor for the Titan booster.
— Boeing Airplane Company Photo
FROM:
News Bureau
Boeing Airplane Company
Seattle 24, Washington
Image credit: Boeing
Image source: Numbers Station
Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar abandoned by the US Air Force in 1963 before flight trials could begin. Although ultimately intended for launching by Titan 3C, this one-man vehicle followed principles established by the Austrian engineer Dr Eugen Stänger a quarter of a century before. The project played an important part in developing aerodynamic and structural techniques for new-generation space-craft capable of maneuvering after re-entry from orbit. Length 35 ft (10.7m.) wingspan 20 ft (6.09m.); height (with wire-brush landing skis retracted) 8 ft (2.4m.).
Frontiers of Space
Philip Bono & Kenneth Gatland
Macmillan, 1969
Image credit: Macmillan
Image source: Numbers Station