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Today in Engineering History: First NASA X-15 Flight Reaches Mach 2.0

By atesmeh | March 25, 2015

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On this day in history, 1960, NASA Flight Research Center test pilot, Joe Walker, flew the first NASA flight in a North American X-15 rocket aircraft. During the flight, the aircraft reached Mach 2.0 at 48,630 feet.

Yesterday: Exxon Valdez Spills 11M Gallons of Oil

The X-15 rocket-powered aircraft was 50 ft. long, with a wingspan of 22 feet. It was developed to provide in-flight information on aerodynamics, structures, flight controls, and physiological traits of high-speed, high-altitude flight.

Joe Walker stands next to the X-15 #2 (56-6671) rocket-powered research aircraft. Image credit: NASA

Walker’s flight was the ninth flight of the program, as the prior eight flights had been flown as part of the acceptance process by Scott Crossfield for North American Aviation.

Walker makes his way to the X-15 just prior to his first flight. Image credit: USAF, Air Force Flight Test Center History Office, Edwards Air Force Bas

Walker went on to fly the aircraft 24 times and eventually achieved its fastest speed and highest altitude. He reached a speed of Mach 5.92 during a flight on June 27, 1962, and attained an altitude of 354,300 feet on August 22, 1963.

The X-15 waits for takeoff. Image credit: USAF, Air Force Flight Test Center History Office, Edwards Air Force Base

Six of the twelve X-15 pilots pose with one of the aircraft. Image credit: NASA


Filed Under: Aerospace + defense

 

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