X-15 Under Wing Of B-52 Just Before Launch
by Nasa/science Photo Library
Title
X-15 Under Wing Of B-52 Just Before Launch
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Nasa/science Photo Library
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Photograph - Photograph
Description
The world's fastest aircraft. An X-15 under the wing of NASA's B-52 air-launching aircraft. The X- 15 was a rocket-powered aircraft designed to investigate flight at hypersonic speeds. Three X- 15s flew a total of 199 missions between 1959 and 1968. After take-off, the B-52 would climb to high altitude before releasing the X-15. The X-15 pilot would then ignite the aircraft's rocket motor. This would propel the X-15 to speeds of 7274 km/h (Mach 6.7) and altitudes of 107,960 metres (67 miles). These figures still stand as world records (1992) - the Space Shuttle being classified as a spacecraft. The Shuttle programme benefited greatly from the X-15 programme.
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September 24th, 2018
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