March 12, 1998

   

 

1998: NASA’s B-52 drops the X-38 atmospheric test vehicle from 23,000 feet on its first test. The vehicle deploys its parafoil parachute and glides to a landing on the Precision Impact Range Area at Edwards. The X-38, designed as a lifting body resembling the X-24A, was planned as an emergency crew return “lifeboat” for the International Space Station.