Spaceplane
The Space Maneuver Vehicle (SMV) completed a successful autonomous approach and landing on its first flight test on 11 August 1998. The unmanned vehicle was dropped from an US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at an altitude of 9,000 feet, performed a controlled approach and landed on the runway. The total flight time was 90 seconds. During the initial portion of the its free fall, the maneuver vehicle was stabilized by a parachute. After it is released from the parachute, the vehicle accelerated and perform a controlled glide. This glide simulated the final approach and landing phases of such a vehicle returning from orbit.
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