Introduction to the X-15

Introduction to the X-15

the aircraft and the research program

X-15 achievements recap

Most sources agree that the X-15 research program was the most significant pure research effort in aviation history, with the possible exception of the Wright Brothers' development of the first powered aircraft.

In 1952 NACA, the predecessor of NASA, concluded that there was a need to investigate hypersonic flight. It launched preliminary studies that led to a decision in 1954 to initiate design and construction of a rocket-powered aircraft, the X-15, to undertake pure research. North American Aviation won the competition to build three aircraft and officially rolled out the first one from its hangar at Los Angeles International Airport on October 15, 1958.

From June 8, 1959, to October 24, 1968 the three X-15's made aviation history in their 199 flights. Some of their records were...

First flight to Mach 3 with successful (safe) return
First flights to Mach 4, Mach 5, and Mach 6
Fastest aircraft flight in history: Mach 6.7, 4,520 mph
Highest flight by a winged aircraft other than the Space Shuttle: 354,200 feet
8 pilots qualified as astronauts on X-15 flights higher than 50 miles

The X-15's gathered data on hypersonic aerodynamics that remains current to this day, four decades later. The design explored issues of intense aerodynamic heating, flight outside the atmosphere and reentry, stability and control at previously unexplored speeds and altitudes, and human factors for space flight. Much of the X-15 work laid the foundation for successful development of the Space Shuttle. Even the pilot's pressure suit was a key development that led to space suits used from earth orbit to the moon.

Photo credits and web cross-references for this page:

The X-15 Program Recap image is taken from the Proceedings of the X-15 First Flight 30th Anniversary Celebration, which was hosted by NASA Dryden on June 8, 1989.
Thumbnail images are cropped from scans of photographic prints, mainly produced by NASA and USAF.

Send questions and comments on the SierraFoot X-15 web pages to Paul Raveling.
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