X-38 spacecraft on B-52 wing pylon. View of the X-38 (Crew Return Vehicle) under the wing of NASA's B-52 mothership prior to launch of the lifting-bod

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X-38 spacecraft on B-52 wing pylon. View of the X-38 (Crew Return Vehicle) under the wing of NASA's B-52 mothership prior to launch of the lifting-body research vehicle. This photo was taken from the observation window of the B-52 bomber as it banked in flight. The X-38 Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) research project was designed to develop the technology for a prototype emergency crew return vehicle or lifeboat for the International Space Station (ISS). The first X-38 test flight took place on 30 July 1997. Development of the prototype X-38 was cancelled at the drop test stage in 2002. Photographed in 1997.

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Size: 3328px × 2638px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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