This is an artist's conception of the NASA/Lockheed Martin Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) in orbit high above the Earth.
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This is an artist’s conception of the NASA/Lockheed Martin Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) in orbit high above the Earth. The X-33 was intended to be a technology demonstrator vehicle for such a possible RLV. The RLV technology program was a cooperative agreement between NASA and industry. The goal of the RLV technology program was to enable significant reductions in the cost of access to space, and to promote the creation and delivery of new space services and other activities that would improve U.S. economic competitiveness.May 1996NASA Photo / Computer art by J. Frassanito & Associates› X-33 Project Description