X-15
Hypersonic Research
at the Edge of Space
|
 |
June 1952
NACA Committee on Aerodynamics recommends increase in
research dealing with flight to Mach 10 and to altitudes from 12
to 50 miles.
|
September 1952
Preliminary studies of research on space flight and associated
problems begun.
|
February 1954
NACA Research Airplane panel meeting discusses
need for a new research airplane to study hypersonic and
space flight.
|
July 1954
Proposal for new research airplane presented to the Air Force
and Navy.
|
December 1954
Invitations issued by the Air Force to contractors to participate
in the X-15 design competition.
|
September 1955
North American Aviation, Inc., selected to develop three X-15
research airplanes.
|
February 1956
Reaction Motors, Inc., awarded development contract for
XLR99 rocket engine,
|
December 1956
X-15 mock-up completed.
|
September 1957
Design configuration set. Construction starts.
|
October 1958
Factory rollout of No. 1 airplane.
|
June 8, 1959
First glide flight, No. 1 airplane.
|
September 17, 1959
First powered flight, No. 2 airplane.
|
March 25, 1960
First NASA flight in an X-15 aircraft. Pilot is Joe Walker.
|
November 15, 1960
First flight with XLR99 engine.
|
March 7, 1961
First flight to Mach 4.
|
June 23, 1961
First flight to Mach 5.
|
October 11, 1961
First flight above 200,000 ft.
|
November 9, 1961
First flight to Mach 6.
|
December 20, 1961
First flight of No. 3 airplane.
|
July 17, 1962
First flight above 300,000 ft.
|
August 22, 1963
Unofficial world altitude record of 354,200 ft.
|
January 28, 1964
100th flight in series.
|
October 3, 1967
World's absolute speed record for winged aircraft, 4,520 mph
|
October 24, 1968
Last X-15 flight, 199th mission.
| home
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|