X-15 missions

The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft developed by NASA and the U.S. Air Force in the late 1950s and 1960s. It was designed to explore the boundaries of speed and altitude, reaching Mach 6.7 (over 4,500 mph) and altitudes above 50 miles. Piloted flights provided valuable data on high-speed flight, re-entry, and human endurance in extreme conditions, helping to shape future spacecraft and space exploration efforts. The X-15’s missions contributed significantly to aeronautics and space science, pushing the limits of technology and human capability at the edge of Earth's atmosphere.