The X-15 was the brainchild of NASA (recently NACA), US Air Force, US Navy, and North American Aviation Inc. For nearly a decade (June 8, 1959 - October 24, 1968) the X-15 flew 199 times supplying countless reports of data for aerodynamics, high altitude (exit and reentry of atmosphere), hypersonic speeds, and physiological effects on pilot. During this time the X-15 set the altitude record of 354,200 feet and top speed record of Mach 6.7 (4,520 miles per hour). Because of the massive speeds needed to be attained by the X-15, most of its weight, 31,275 pounds, was fuel that later burned off. The X-15 was very slender: twenty-two foot wingspan, fifty feet in length, and thirteen feet in height. The design was more of a missile type than that of a plane. This was needed
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Through the course of time, man has accomplished many achievements and thereby contributed to the benefit of society. Out of all of these achievements, flight has been the most influential and to some the most important. From the ancient times, man has desired the ability of flight and after the breakthrough of Orville and Wilbur Wright, mankind has prospered and explored the characteristics of flying. By advancing our knowledge of flight, we as a society have been able to determine where our futures individually lie. We can further break this down by realizing how helpful the ability to fly has been. In flight, travel has become more expedient, efficient, and cost effective; nations can now protect themselves by air defense and protect others as well, and by exploring space we have gained a knowledge greater than can be imagined, which will lead us into the unknown. As humanity approaches the centennial of flight, we, as a society, can only look in awe of the past 100 years of immense technological advances, especially in the field of
Through the course of time, man has accomplished many achievements and thereby contributed to the benefit of society. Out of all of these achievements, flight has been the most influential and to some the most important. From the ancient times, man has desired the ability of flight and after the breakthrough of Orville and Wilbur Wright, mankind has prospered and explored the characteristics of flying. By advancing our knowledge of flight, we as a society have been able to determine where our futures individually lie. We can further break this down by realizing how helpful the ability to fly has been. In flight, travel has become more expedient, efficient, and cost effective; nations can now protect themselves by air defense and protect others as well, and by exploring space we have gained a knowledge greater than can be imagined, which will lead us into the unknown. As humanity approaches the centennial of flight, we, as a society, can only look in awe of the past 100 years of immense technological advances, especially in the field of