Monday, Apr. 19, 2010
The X-38
The X-38 project was meant to develop a wingless glider that could be parked at the space station to serve as a return or rescue pod for crew members. Started in 1995, the project — which intended to develop and test three X-38 lifeboats — was to cost $1.3 billion. But seven years into the project, with just one test flight to go and $50 million left to spend, the Bush Administration pulled the plug. John Muratore, the original project manager, said of the debacle, "It's like taking a course where you've gone to all the lectures and turned in all the assignments, but the professor doesn't give you a grade."