OTD In Space – June 8: X-15 Makes First Glide Flight from plane 9 demo download Watch Video
Preview(s): Play Video: (Note: The default playback of the video is HD VERSION. If your browser is buffering the video slowly, please play the REGULAR MP4 VERSION or Open The Video below for better experience. Thank you!)
Your browser does not support playing the video.Please download the video!
⏲ Duration: 0:50 👁 View: 9.8M times ✓ Published: 14-Jun-2024
Description: On June 8, 1959, NASA's rocket-powered X-15 experimental plane made its first glide flight. <br/><br/>The X-15 rocket plane was part of a series of experimental hypersonic aircraft. This flight marked the beginning of almost a decade of research that explored the altitudes and hypersonic speed at the edge of space. At maximum speed, the X-15 would fly at Mach 6.7 ― 4,520 miles per hour! The X-15 program had a total of 12 test pilots, including Neil Armstrong, between 1959 and 1968, making 199 flights in the process. The aircraft flew over a period of almost 10 years. And with a max altitude of 67 miles, it was even able to reach the edge of outer space in the 1960s.