# NASA X-38

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**Wikidata**: [Q1550791](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1550791)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_X-38)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nasa-x-38

## Summary
The NASA X-38 was a prototype spacecraft designed as a Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) for emergency evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS). It was developed by NASA and manufactured by Scaled Composites, with its first flight occurring in 1999. Only two prototypes were produced, making it a key experimental program in spaceflight safety.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Spacecraft (subclass of vehicle or machine designed for spaceflight)
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Manufacturer**: Scaled Composites
- **First Flight**: 1999
- **Total Produced**: 2 prototypes (X-38 V-132)
- **Purpose**: Emergency crew return from the ISS
- **Related Entity**: X-38 V-132 (specific prototype)
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Available in multiple languages (ar, ca, cs, de, en, etc.)
- **Commons Media**: Includes images and videos of the X-38

## FAQs
### Q: What was the NASA X-38 used for?
A: The NASA X-38 was designed as a Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) to safely transport astronauts back to Earth in case of an emergency on the International Space Station (ISS).

### Q: How many X-38 prototypes were built?
A: Only two prototypes were produced, known as X-38 V-132.

### Q: Who manufactured the X-38?
A: Scaled Composites was the manufacturer of the X-38 prototypes.

### Q: When did the X-38 first fly?
A: The first flight of the X-38 occurred in 1999.

### Q: What was the significance of the X-38 program?
A: The X-38 program was a critical experiment in developing emergency evacuation capabilities for astronauts aboard the ISS, though it was later canceled due to budget constraints.

## Why It Matters
The NASA X-38 was a pioneering project in spacecraft design, focusing on emergency crew return from space. As the ISS expanded, NASA recognized the need for a reliable method to safely evacuate astronauts in case of a critical failure. The X-38 was designed to autonomously undock from the ISS and re-enter Earth's atmosphere, ensuring a controlled descent. However, the program was canceled in 2002 due to budget cuts, and NASA later adopted the Soyuz spacecraft for crew return purposes. Despite its short lifespan, the X-38 contributed valuable data to NASA's understanding of spacecraft re-entry and emergency protocols. Its legacy lives on in modern spaceflight safety measures.

## Notable For
- **First Experimental CRV**: One of the first dedicated Crew Return Vehicles tested by NASA.
- **Prototype-Only Program**: Only two prototypes were built, limiting its operational use.
- **Emergency Focus**: Designed specifically for ISS crew evacuation scenarios.
- **Scaled Composites Collaboration**: Marked a partnership between NASA and Scaled Composites in experimental aerospace.
- **Media Documentation**: Well-documented with images and videos available in public archives.

## Body
### Overview
The NASA X-38 was a prototype spacecraft developed as part of NASA's Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) program. Its primary function was to provide a safe means of evacuating astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) in emergencies. The program was managed by NASA, with Scaled Composites serving as the manufacturer.

### Development and Production
- **First Flight**: The X-38 made its maiden flight in 1999.
- **Prototypes**: Only two prototypes were produced, designated X-38 V-132.
- **Manufacturer**: Scaled Composites was responsible for construction and testing.

### Design and Functionality
- **Class**: Spacecraft (subclass of vehicle or machine designed for spaceflight).
- **Purpose**: Emergency crew return from the ISS.
- **Autonomous Operations**: Designed to undock and re-enter Earth's atmosphere autonomously.

### Program Cancellation
- **Cancellation**: The X-38 program was canceled in 2002 due to budget constraints.
- **Legacy**: NASA later adopted the Soyuz spacecraft for crew return purposes.

### Media and Documentation
- **Images**: Available on Wikimedia Commons, including the ISS Crew Return Vehicle.
- **Videos**: Test flight footage is archived, such as the fifth test drop flight.
- **Wikipedia**: The X-38 has extensive documentation across multiple languages.

### Related Entities
- **X-38 V-132**: The specific prototype developed under the X-38 program.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013