North American X-15

E19434

The North American X-15 was a rocket-powered experimental research aircraft that set speed and altitude records in the 1960s and significantly advanced knowledge of hypersonic flight and spaceflight.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
X-15 program 2

Statements (53)

Predicate Object
instanceOf X-plane
experimental aircraft
hypersonic research aircraft
rocket-powered aircraft
astronautWingsAwardedToPilots 8
carrierAircraft Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
crew 1
designedFor hypersonic flight research
pilot physiological research
reentry heating studies
engineModel Reaction Motors XLR99
engineThrust 254000 newtons
57000 pounds-force
firstFlightDate 1959-06-08
flightsAbove50Miles 13
fuelType anhydrous ammonia
fuselageMaterial Inconel X nickel-chromium alloy
influenced Space Shuttle design studies
lifting body research
introductionYear 1959
landingGearType skid landing gear
launchMethod air launch from carrier aircraft
manufacturer North American Aviation
maximumAltitude_ft 354200
maximumAltitude_m 107960
maximumSpeed Mach 6.7
maximumSpeed_kmh 7274
museumDisplayLocation National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
surface form: National Air and Space Museum

National Museum of the United States Air Force
notablePilot Joe Walker
Neil A. Armstrong
surface form: Neil Armstrong

Pete Knight
Scott Crossfield
William J. Knight
numberBuilt 3
operator NASA
surface form: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

United States Air Force
oxidizerType liquid oxygen
primaryRole aeronautical research
spaceflight research
programName North American X-15 self-linksurface differs
surface form: X-15 program
programOutcome significant advances in high-altitude flight operations
significant advances in hypersonic aerodynamics
programStartYear 1954
propulsionType liquid-fueled rocket engine
recordType altitude record for winged aircraft
speed record for manned powered aircraft
retirementYear 1968
spaceflightDefinitionUsedBy United States Air Force
tailConfiguration large wedge-shaped vertical tail
totalFlights 199
wingConfiguration mid-wing monoplane

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

North American X-15 programName North American X-15 self-linksurface differs
this entity surface form: X-15 program
Joe Engle spaceProgram North American X-15
this entity surface form: X-15 program