Space History Photo: X-38 Lakebed Touchdown

The X-38 prototype sits on the lakebed after a test flight. CREDIT: NASA | Tony Landis. View full size image

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, the X-38's blue and white parafoil spreads out in front of the research vehicle as it sits on a lakebed near the Dryden Flight Research Center after a March 2000 test flight. The X-38 Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) research project is designed to develop the technology for a prototype emergency crew return vehicle, or lifeboat, for the International Space Station.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).