Rocket landing concept tested in 1990s

A rocket designed to land upright, an idea later popularized by SpaceX, was tested in the 1990s by the DC-X, developed by McDonnell Douglas with support from the Pentagon's Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. This project aimed to show that rockets could be reused like airplanes, significantly cutting the cost of space travel.

Successful flights before the accident

Between 1993 and 1996, the DC-X completed twelve successful flights, proving that vertical takeoff and landing were technically feasible. These flights demonstrated the potential for reusable rockets, a concept that was far ahead of its time.

Technical error ends the program

On July 31, 1996, the DC-XA, an improved version of the DC-X, was set to fly for the fourth time after upgrades. During descent, a landing leg failed to deploy because a helium pressurization line was disconnected, causing the rocket to tip over and catch fire, ultimately destroying it.

Simple oversight leads to program's end

An investigation found that the accident was caused by a simple mistake—a disconnected helium line. This, combined with budget cuts, led to the program’s cancellation, despite the earlier success in proving that reusable rockets could become routine.

Legacy recognized in space history

The team behind the DC-X was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 2013 for their pioneering work. Some parts of the project, like an RL10 engine and a spare landing leg, are now on display at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

Innovations influence future spaceflight

Although the DC-X was ahead of its time, its innovations laid the foundation for future developments in reusable spaceflight, eventually leading to the successful efforts seen today by companies like SpaceX.