McDonnell Douglas DC-X

The Delta Clipper or DC -X ( exact name of McDonnell Douglas DC -X ) was a miniaturized, unmanned prototype of a single-stage reusable launch vehicle built by McDonnell Douglas on behalf of NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization ( SDIO ). The aircraft was powered by four RL- 10A5 engines, which were derived from the engines of the Centaur upper stage. Fuels were liquid hydrogen and oxygen.

A prototype led from 1993 to 1995 eight test flights. Thereafter, the prototype in a modified configuration which is referred to as DC -XA or as Clipper Graham was converted. DC -XA led by a total of four flights in which he reached a height of up to 2,500 meters. The prototype was destroyed during his last flight on landing, when a landing gear was not extended and the machine tipped over after being placed and exploded. The program was set then.

Many former employees of the DC-X program are now employed by the project Blue Origin. Blue Origin is a privately held aerospace company, which is headed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.