X-15

Quick Facts: Who was X-15?

Subject:

X-15

Known for:

Hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft setting world speed records in the 1960s.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The North American X-15 is a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft built by North American Aviation, 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.

Career & Major Achievements

The X-15's highest speed, 4,520 miles per hour (7,274 km/h; 2,021 m/s), 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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During the X-15 program, 12 pilots flew a combined 199 flights. Of these, 8 pilots flew a combined 13 flights which met the Air Force spaceflight criterion by exceeding the altitude of 50 miles (80 km), thus qualifying these pilots as being astronauts; of those 13 flights, 2 (flown by the same civilian pilot) met the FAI definition (100 kilometres (62 mi)) of outer space.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1967: 1967 Milestone — The X-15's highest speed, 4,520 miles per hour (7,274 km/h; 2,021 m/s), was achieved on 3 October 1967, when William J.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: X-15

True or False: “The X-15's record speed of 4,520 mph was achieved while flying below the recognized boundary of outer space.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The X-15's record flight on October 3, 1967, was conducted at an altitude of 102,100 feet, which is significantly above the recognized boundary of outer space.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akshay Kumar — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• X-15 Flight 90 — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: NASA's X-15 Flight 90: First US spaceplane over the Kármán line.
• X Japan — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering Japanese rock band, credited with developing the visual kei movement.
• X-ray astronomy — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Observational study of X-ray radiation from celestial objects, requiring space-based detection.
• Xativa Castle — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A historic twin-fortification castle overlooking Xàtiva, Valencia, Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions about X-15