X-15 Program

The X-15 Program was a series of high-altitude rocket-powered aircraft tests conducted by NASA and the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1968. The X-15 aircraft reached the edge of space, achieving record-breaking speeds and altitudes, which helped scientists understand hypersonic flight, atmospheric re-entry, and astronaut training. These missions provided valuable data for developing future space vehicles, including the Space Shuttle. The program advanced aerospace technology and set several world records for speed and altitude, demonstrating capabilities critical for space exploration and high-speed aeronautics.