North American X-15: spacecraft history, specs and record

The North American X-15 was a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The X-15 reached altitudes of over 80km and speeds of over 6000 km/h. The X-15 had a wingspan of 6.8 meters, and length of 15.4

Record

13 launches, 2 built and flown.

At a glance

• Type: Spaceplane
• Built by: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Status: Retired
• Crew: Up to 1
• First flight: 1959-06-08
• Height: 15.45 m
• Diameter: 6.8 m

History

The North American X-15 currently holds the record for the highest speed in a manned, powered aircraft. The three variants of the X-15 flew nearly 200 times, with 13 of them going over 80km high.

All spacecraft · National Aeronautics and Space Administration