X-37 SCHEDULED FOR JUNE ROLLOUT.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A pilotless experimental craft being built by Boeing as part of NASA's effort to create a new manned spacecraft to supplement the space shuttles is expected to roll out next June from its assembly plant.

Slightly over 27 feet long, the winged, computer-controlled X-37 will be carried aloft by a modified B-52 and dropped at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet in tests slated to begin in November 2004 at Edwards Air Force Base.

``The next milestone is in February when the vehicle goes through systems checks,'' said Drew Hays, who manages Boeing's strategic development of space launch systems.

The X-37 aircraft is being assembled at Boeing's plant at U.S. Air Force Plant 42. A second X-37, equipped to fly in space, is due to be launched in 2006.

The X-37s are being built to test technologies for the orbital space plane, a proposed manned spacecraft that will augment the nation's space shuttle fleet. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration hopes to start using the orbital space plane in 2008 for returning astronauts from the space station.

The X-37 initially was funded under a 1999 $173 million contract with the costs being shared by NASA, Boeing and the Air Force. The Air Force later dropped out of the program.

In November, NASA awarded a $301 million contract to Boeing's Phantom Works division to continue the construction of the first craft and to develop the second.

The first X-37 is planned to make five flights to test technologies needed for landing a new spacecraft.

The second X-37 is designed to be able to stay in orbit for as long as nine months and will test systems for an automatic rendezvous with the International Space Station or with other spacecraft. The second X-37 would also be able to test equipment for weather and atmosphere observation.

Boeing is looking at the possibility of using a larger version of the X-37 as its entry in the orbital space plane competition. The company is also looking at an Apollo-like space capsule to meet the orbital space plane goals.

Boeing's orbital space plane competitor, a team led by Lockheed Martin, is looking at concepts for winged space craft and space capsules. Lockheed Martin is also looking at a wingless design concept known as a lifting body, said company spokeswoman Julie Andrews.

Sometime this month, NASA will issue a request for proposals to the two companies for the development of the orbital space plane. NASA officials plan to select one contractor in August to develop the spacecraft.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com