THE FASTEST AIRCRAFT TO DATE
The North American X-15 is a rocket-powered aircraft operated by the US Air Force and NASA as an experimental aircraft. As of 2014 it holds the official record for the highest speed reached by a manned, rocket-powered aircraft clocking in at 4,520 miles per hour. The X-15 was introduced in 1959 as a research aircraft with the goal of reaching the edge of outer space and returning with data of aerodynamic heating, re-entry conditions, acceleration and deceleration forces, and the reactions of man to weightless conditions. Now retired it is on display in the "Milestones of Flight" gallery at the Air & Space Museum.
- FAMOUS PILOTS: NEIL ARMSTRONG
- WHERE FLOWN: NEVADA
- FIRST FLIGHT: 8 JUNE 1959
- RETIRED: DECEMBER 1968
HISTORIAL
- WINGSPAN: 22FT 4IN
- LENGTH: 50FT 9IN
- MAX MACH SPEED: 6.7 (4,520MPH)
- ALTITUDE RECORD: 354,330FT
- FLIGHTS: 199
SPECIFICATIONS
Neil Armstrong flew the X-15 seven times; his penultimate flight reached an altitude of 207,500 feet.
Several pilots earned "astronaut" rating by attaining altitudes above 50 miles. The X-15 flight program contributed significantly to the Apollo projects.
Of all the X-15 missions, two flights qualified as space flights. The definition of a spaceflight is by exceeding 100 kilometers (62.1 miles) in altitude.