X-15

The North American X-15 is a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the X-plane series of experimental aircraft. The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the 1960s, crossing the edge of outer space and returning with valuable data used in aircraft and spacecraft design. The X-15's highest speed, 4,520 miles per hour, was achieved on 3 October 1967, when William J. Knight flew at Mach 6.7 at an altitude of 102,100 feet (31,120 m), or 19.34 miles. This set the official world record for the highest speed ever recorded by a crewed, powered aircraft and remains unbroken.

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1959 — 1968  Wikimedia, Wikidata
North American X-15; X15
4 produced, 
experimental aircraft, sub-orbital spaceplane, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United States Air Force, North American Aviation, United States, 
NASA, United States, Retro Space HD, Dong Fang Hong 2, sub-orbital spaceplane, 1959, 1950s, 

• Retro Space HD page^@ Research Project X-15
​ ​

Location: KML, Cluster Map, Maps,

Frameless

North American X-15A-2 USAF (071107-F-1234S-011)

The X-15 pilots clown around in front of the #2 aircraft. From left to right: Joseph Engle, Robert Rushworth, John McKay, William Knight, Milton Thompson, and William Dana.

North American X-15A-2 with external fuel tanks (150806-F-IO108-005)

X-15 contrail after launch

The X-15 pilots clown around in front of the #2 aircraft. From left to right: Joseph Engle, Robert Rushworth, John McKay, William Knight, Milton Thompson, and William Dana.

North American X-15 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

Robert Michael White in North American X-15

North American X-15 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

North American X-15 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

X-15 at Air and Space Museum in 1983

Type	Subtype	Date	Description	Notes	Source
link	page		Retro Space HD page@	Research Project X-15	Wikidata
commons	image		North American X-15A-2 USAF (071107-F-1234S-011)		Commons
commons	image		The X-15 pilots clown around in front of the #2 aircraft. From left to right: Joseph Engle, Robert Rushworth, John McKay, William Knight, Milton Thompson, and William Dana.		Commons
commons	image		North American X-15A-2 with external fuel tanks (150806-F-IO108-005)		Commons
commons	image		X-15 contrail after launch		Commons
commons	image		The X-15 pilots clown around in front of the #2 aircraft. From left to right: Joseph Engle, Robert Rushworth, John McKay, William Knight, Milton Thompson, and William Dana.		Commons
commons	image		North American X-15 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		Robert Michael White in North American X-15		Commons
commons	image		North American X-15 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		North American X-15 at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		X-15 at Air and Space Museum in 1983		Commons