List of X-15 flights
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/X-15_in_flight.jpg/220px-X-15_in_flight.jpg)
The flights of the North American X-15, an experimental American spaceplane built by North American Aviation and operated by the United States Air Force and NASA, were conducted from 1959-1968. Twelve pilots flew three X-15 planes, flying record high-altitude flights, high-speed flights, and sub-orbital spaceflights. Collectively, pilots and craft performed a total of 199 free flights after being carried aloft and then air launched from one of two modified B-52 mother ships. The pilots and craft also performed twelve scheduled captive carry test flights and 125 aborted flights (frequently due either to technical problems or poor weather) in which the X-15 did not uncouple from its B-52 mother ship, for a grand total of 336 flights.[1][2][a] The X-15 program's flights generated data and flight experience which supported future development of aircraft, spacecraft, and human spaceflight.
Five principal aircraft were used during the X-15 program: three X-15 planes and two modified "nonstandard" NB-52 bomber carriers:
- X-15-1 – 56-6670,
- X-15-2 (later modified to become the X-15A-2) – 56-6671,
- X-15-3 – 56-6672,
- NB-52A – 52-003 nicknamed The High and Mighty One,
- NB-52B – 52-008 nicknamed The Challenger, later Balls 8.
Additionally, F-100, F-104 and F5D chase aircraft and C-130 and C-47 transports supported the program.[3]
Pilots[]
Twelve pilots flew the X-15 over the course of its career. Scott Crossfield and William Dana flew the X-15 on its first and last free flights, respectively. Joseph Walker set the program's top two altitude records on its 90th and 91st free flights (347,800 and 354,200 feet, respectively), becoming the only pilot to fly past the Kármán line, the 100 kilometer, FAI-recognized boundary of outer space, during the program. William Knight set the program's Mach (6.70) and speed (4,520 mph) records on its 188th free flight. Neil Armstrong was the first pilot to fly the program's third plane, the X-15-3. Following his participation in the program, Joe Engle commanded a future spaceplane, the Space Shuttle, on two missions. Robert Rushworth flew 34 free flights, the most in the program. Forrest Petersen flew five, the fewest. Robert White was the first person to fly the X-15 above 100,000 feet. Milton Thompson piloted a series of typical flights during the middle of the program. John McKay was injured in (and recovered from, returning to active flight status) a landing accident which damaged the X-15-2, leading to its refurbishment as the modified X-15A-2. Michael Adams was killed in the program's 191st free flight. Five pilots were Air Force personnel, five were NASA personnel, one (Crossfield) was employed by manufacturer North American, and one (Petersen) was a Navy pilot.
Over thirteen flights, eight pilots flew above 264,000 feet or 50 miles, thereby qualifying as astronauts according to the United States definition of the space border. All five Air Force pilots flew above 50 miles and were awarded military astronaut wings contemporaneously with their achievements, including Adams, who received the distinction posthumously following the flight 191 disaster.[4] However the other three were NASA employees, and did not receive a comparable decoration at the time. In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration conferred its first-ever commercial astronaut wings on Mike Melvill and Brian Binnie, pilots of the commercial SpaceShipOne, another spaceplane with a flight profile comparable to the X-15's. Following this in 2005, NASA retroactively awarded its civilian astronaut wings to Dana (then living), and to McKay and Walker (posthumously).[5][6] Eleven flights above 50 miles were made in the X-15-3, and two were made in the X-15-1.
Every X-15 pilot also flew as a program chase pilot at least once, supporting missions in which they were not flying as lead pilots. Other chase pilots included future astronauts Michael Collins, Fred Haise and Jim McDivitt.[7]
The two NB-52 mother ships were most frequently piloted by Fitz Fulton.[8] On one occasion Chuck Yeager, former pilot of the X-15's predecessor X-plane the X-1, the first crewed craft to break the sound barrier, assisted as NB-52 co-pilot for an aborted flight.[9]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/X-15_Pilots_-_GPN-2000-000143.jpg/220px-X-15_Pilots_-_GPN-2000-000143.jpg)
X-15 pilots | Pilot flights by individual plane | Flight totals by pilot | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
X-15-1 | X-15-2 | X-15-3 | |||||||||
Pilot | Agency | FF | CAF | FF | CAF | FF | CAF | PTFF | PTCAF | PGTF | |
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Michael Adams |
USAF | 4 | 8 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
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Neil Armstrong |
NASA | 3 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 11 |
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Scott Crossfield |
NAA | 2 | 5 | 12 | 11 | — | — | 14 | 16 | 30 |
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William Dana |
NASA | 6 | 7 | — | — | 10 | 6 | 16 | 13 | 29 |
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Joe Engle |
USAF | 7 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 22 |
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William Knight |
USAF | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 2 | — | 16 | 10 | 26 |
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John McKay |
NASA | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 29 | 20 | 49 |
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Forrest Petersen |
USN | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 7 |
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Robert Rushworth |
USAF | 13 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 34 | 17 | 51 |
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Milton Thompson |
NASA | 5 | 7 | — | — | 9 | 2 | 14 | 9 | 23 |
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Joseph Walker |
NASA | 13 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 14 | 39 |
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Robert White |
USAF | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 32 |
Flight totals by plane | 81 | 61 | 53 | 44 | 65 | 32 | 199 | 137 | 336 |
Flight numbering[]
Two conventions have been used to number the X-15's flights. In one, the numbers 1 through 199 were used to chronologically denote the free flights made by any of the three planes. For example, flight 1 (8 June 1959) was made by the X-15-1, flight 34 (7 March 1961) was made by the X-15-2, and flight 49 (5 April 1962) was made by the X-15-3. This convention ignores captive and aborted flights.
The other convention was an official three-part flight designation number, described in a 1960 letter by NASA flight research director Paul Bikle,[c] and split into three columns below. The first part, a number—1, 2 or 3—would denote the involved X-15 plane. The second part—a number, or "A", or "C"—would denote that individual X-15's chronological free flights; aborted flights were coded as "A", and scheduled captive carry test flights were coded as "C". The third part, a number, would denote the total number of times to-date that the individual X-15 had been taken aloft by a carrier, whether resulting in a free flight or not. For example, the X-15-1 was first taken aloft on scheduled captive test flight 1-C-1, next performed three aborted missions (1-A-2, 1-A-3, and 1-A-4), and then performed its first successful free flight on its fifth time taken aloft (1-1-5).[d]
On 9 November 1962, flight 74 (2-31-52), the X-15-2 suffered a landing accident which damaged the craft and also injured its pilot, John McKay, who suffered crushed vertebrae and later returned to active flight status.[11] This presented North American with an opportunity not only to repair the plane, but to modify it—an idea which the Air Force and NASA were uninterested in while all three planes were in operational service, but agreed to once repairs were made necessary.[12] The result was a new, distinct airframe known as the X-15A-2 which returned to flight in June 1964, first on a scheduled captive check-out flight (15 June, 2-C-53) and an abort (23 June, 2-A-54) before finally making its return free flight on 25 June (flight 109, 2-32-55), all piloted by Robert Rushworth. The flight numbering conventions made no distinction between the original craft and its modified iteration; it continued to be designated "2".
Neither convention accounted for which of the two NB-52 carriers took an X-15 aloft, given in a separate column below. On free flights, the NB-52A carried the X-15 aloft 93 times, while the NB-52B carried it aloft 106 times.
List of flights[]
3 Pt. FID | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GTF | FF | Pl | FF(I) | TF(I) | Carr | Date | Pilot | MM | MV | MA | Notes[e] |
1 | — | 1 | C | 1 | — | 10 March 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | The X-15-1's first time aloft. Crossfield's first time aloft. First time aloft of program. |
2 | — | 1 | A | 2 | — | 1 April 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
3 | — | 1 | A | 3 | — | 10 April 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
4 | — | 1 | A | 4 | — | 21 May 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 8 June 1959 | Crossfield | 0.79 | 522 | 37,550 | The X-15-1's first free flight. Crossfield's first free flight. Glide flight, only one scheduled during program. |
6 | — | 2 | C | 1 | — | 24 June 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | The X-15-2's first time aloft. |
7 | — | 2 | A | 2 | — | 4 September 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 17 September 1959 | Crossfield | 2.11 | 1,393 | 52,341 | The X-15-2's first free flight. First powered flight of program. |
9 | — | 2 | A | 4 | — | 10 October 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
10 | — | 2 | A | 5 | — | 14 October 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
11 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 17 October 1959 | Crossfield | 2.15 | 1,419 | 61,781 | |
12 | — | 2 | A | 7 | — | 22 October 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
13 | — | 2 | A | 8 | — | 31 October 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
14 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 5 November 1959 | Crossfield | 1.00 | 660 | 45,462 | XLR-11 engine explodes after ignition and the fuselage breaks during landing. |
15 | — | 1 | A | 6 | — | 16 December 1959 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
16 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 23 January 1960 | Crossfield | 2.53 | 1,669 | 66,844 | |
17 | — | 2 | A | 10 | — | 4 February 1960 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
18 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 11 February 1960 | Crossfield | 2.22 | 1,466 | 88,116 | |
19 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 17 February 1960 | Crossfield | 1.57 | 1,036 | 52,640 | |
20 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 17 March 1960 | Crossfield | 2.15 | 1,419 | 52,640 | |
21 | — | 2 | A | 14 | — | 18 March 1960 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
22 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 25 March 1960 | Walker | 2.00 | 1,320 | 48,630 | Walker's first free flight. |
23 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 8 | 29 March 1960 | Crossfield | 1.96 | 1,293 | 49,982 | |
24 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 31 March 1960 | Crossfield | 2.03 | 1,340 | 51,356 | |
25 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 13 April 1960 | White | 1.90 | 1,254 | 48,000 | White's first free flight. |
26 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 19 April 1960 | Walker | 2.56 | 1,689 | 59,496 | |
27 | — | 2 | A | 17 | — | 5 May 1960 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
28 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 6 May 1960 | White | 2.20 | 1,452 | 60,938 | |
29 | 15 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 12 May 1960 | Walker | 3.19 | 2,111 | 77,882 | |
30 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 13 | 3 | 19 May 1960 | White | 2.31 | 1,590 | 108,997 | |
31 | 17 | 2 | 9 | 18 | 8 | 26 May 1960 | Crossfield | 2.20 | 1,452 | 51,282 | |
32 | — | 1 | A | 14 | — | 27 May 1960 | Walker | — | — | — | |
33 | — | 1 | A | 15 | — | 3 June 1960 | Walker | — | — | — | |
34 | — | 1 | A | 16 | — | 8 June 1960 | Walker | — | — | — | |
35 | 18 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 4 August 1960 | Walker | 3.31 | 2,196 | 78,112 | |
36 | — | 1 | A | 18 | — | 11 August 1960 | White | — | — | — | |
37 | 19 | 1 | 10 | 19 | 3 | 12 August 1960 | White | 2.52 | 1,772 | 136,500 | |
38 | — | 1 | A | 20 | — | 18 August 1960 | Walker | — | — | — | |
39 | 20 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 3 | 19 August 1960 | Walker | 3.13 | 1,986 | 75,982 | |
40 | — | 1 | A | 22 | — | 2 September 1960 | White | — | — | — | |
41 | 21 | 1 | 12 | 23 | 8 | 10 September 1960 | White | 3.23 | 2,182 | 79,864 | |
42 | — | 1 | A | 24 | — | 20 September 1960 | Petersen | — | — | — | Petersen's first time aloft. |
43 | 22 | 1 | 13 | 25 | 8 | 23 September 1960 | Petersen | 1.68 | 1,108 | 53,043 | Petersen's first free flight. |
44 | — | 1 | A | 26 | — | 11 October 1960 | Petersen | — | — | — | |
45 | — | 2 | A | 19 | — | 13 October 1960 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
46 | 23 | 1 | 14 | 27 | 8 | 20 October 1960 | Petersen | 1.94 | 1,280 | 53,800 | |
47 | 24 | 1 | 15 | 28 | 8 | 28 October 1960 | McKay | 2.02 | 1,333 | 50,700 | McKay's first free flight. |
48 | — | 2 | A | 20 | — | 4 November 1960 | Crossfield | — | — | — | |
49 | 25 | 1 | 16 | 29 | 8 | 4 November 1960 | Rushworth | 1.95 | 1,287 | 48,900 | Rushworth's first free flight. |
50 | 26 | 2 | 10 | 21 | 3 | 15 November 1960 | Crossfield | 2.97 | 1,960 | 81,200 | The X-15-2's first flight with the XLR-99 engine. |
51 | 27 | 1 | 17 | 30 | 3 | 17 November 1960 | Rushworth | 1.90 | 1,254 | 54,750 | |
52 | 28 | 2 | 11 | 22 | 3 | 22 November 1960 | Crossfield | 2.51 | 1,656 | 61,900 | |
53 | 29 | 1 | 18 | 31 | 8 | 30 November 1960 | Armstrong | 1.75 | 1,155 | 48,840 | Armstrong's first free flight. |
54 | 30 | 2 | 12 | 23 | 3 | 6 December 1960 | Crossfield | 2.85 | 1,881 | 53,374 | Crossfield's last free flight. |
55 | 31 | 1 | 19 | 32 | 8 | 9 December 1960 | Armstrong | 1.80 | 1,188 | 50,095 | |
56 | — | 1 | A | 33 | — | 15 December 1960 | McKay | — | — | — | |
57 | — | 1 | A | 34 | — | 11 January 1961 | McKay | — | — | — | |
58 | 32 | 1 | 20 | 35 | 8 | 1 February 1961 | McKay | 1.88 | 1,211 | 49,780 | |
59 | 33 | 1 | 21 | 36 | 8 | 7 February 1961 | White | 3.50 | 2,275 | 78,150 | |
60 | — | 2 | A | 24 | — | 21 February 1961 | White | — | — | — | |
61 | — | 2 | A | 25 | — | 24 February 1961 | White | — | — | — | |
62 | 34 | 2 | 13 | 26 | 8 | 7 March 1961 | White | 4.43 | 2,905 | 77,450 | |
63 | — | 2 | A | 27 | — | 21 March 1961 | Walker | — | — | — | |
64 | 35 | 2 | 14 | 28 | 8 | 30 March 1961 | Walker | 3.95 | 2,760 | 169,600 | |
65 | 36 | 2 | 15 | 29 | 3 | 21 April 1961 | White | 4.62 | 3,074 | 105,000 | |
66 | — | 2 | A | 30 | — | 19 May 1961 | Walker | — | — | — | |
67 | 37 | 2 | 16 | 31 | 3 | 25 May 1961 | Walker | 4.95 | 3,307 | 107,500 | |
68 | — | 2 | A | 32 | — | 20 June 1961 | White | — | — | — | |
69 | 38 | 2 | 17 | 33 | 3 | 23 June 1961 | White | 5.27 | 3,603 | 107,700 | |
70 | 39 | 1 | 22 | 37 | 3 | 10 August 1961 | Petersen | 4.11 | 2,735 | 78,200 | The X-15-1's first flight with the XLR-99 engine. |
71 | 40 | 2 | 18 | 34 | 8 | 12 September 1961 | Walker | 5.21 | 3,618 | 114,300 | |
72 | 41 | 2 | 19 | 35 | 8 | 28 September 1961 | Petersen | 5.30 | 3,600 | 101,800 | |
73 | — | 1 | A | 38 | — | 29 September 1961 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
74 | 42 | 1 | 23 | 39 | 3 | 4 October 1961 | Rushworth | 4.30 | 2,830 | 78,000 | |
75 | 43 | 2 | 20 | 36 | 3 | 11 October 1961 | White | 5.21 | 3,647 | 217,000 | |
76 | 44 | 1 | 24 | 40 | 3 | 17 October 1961 | Walker | 5.74 | 3,900 | 108,600 | |
77 | — | 1 | A | 41 | — | 27 October 1961 | White | — | — | — | |
78 | — | 1 | A | 42 | — | 2 November 1961 | White | — | — | — | |
79 | — | 1 | A | 43 | — | 3 November 1961 | White | — | — | — | |
80 | 45 | 2 | 21 | 37 | 8 | 9 November 1961 | White | 6.04 | 4,093 | 101,600 | |
81 | — | 3 | A | 1 | — | 19 December 1961 | Armstrong | — | — | — | The X-15-3's first time aloft. |
82 | 46 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 20 December 1961 | Armstrong | 3.76 | 2,502 | 81,000 | The X-15-3's first free flight. |
83 | 47 | 1 | 25 | 44 | 3 | 10 January 1962 | Petersen | 0.97 | 645 | 44,750 | Petersen's last free flight. |
84 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 17 January 1962 | Armstrong | 5.51 | 3,765 | 133,500 | |
85 | — | 3 | A | 4 | — | 29 March 1962 | Armstrong | — | — | — | |
86 | — | 3 | A | 5 | — | 30 March 1962 | Armstrong | — | — | — | |
87 | — | 3 | A | 6 | — | 31 March 1962 | Armstrong | — | — | — | |
88 | 49 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 5 April 1962 | Armstrong | 4.12 | 2,850 | 180,000 | |
89 | — | 1 | A | 45 | — | 18 April 1962 | Walker | — | — | — | |
90 | 50 | 1 | 26 | 46 | 3 | 19 April 1962 | Walker | 5.69 | 3,866 | 154,000 | |
91 | 51 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 20 April 1962 | Armstrong | 5.31 | 3,789 | 207,500 | |
92 | — | 2 | A | 38 | — | 25 April 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
93 | — | 2 | A | 39 | — | 26 April 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
94 | — | 1 | A | 47 | — | 27 April 1962 | Walker | — | — | — | |
95 | 52 | 1 | 27 | 48 | 8 | 30 April 1962 | Walker | 4.94 | 3,489 | 246,700 | |
96 | 53 | 2 | 22 | 40 | 8 | 8 May 1962 | Rushworth | 5.34 | 3,524 | 70,400 | |
97 | 54 | 1 | 28 | 49 | 3 | 22 May 1962 | Rushworth | 5.03 | 3,450 | 100,400 | |
98 | — | 2 | A | 41 | — | 25 May 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
99 | — | 2 | A | 42 | — | 29 May 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
100 | 55 | 2 | 23 | 43 | 8 | 1 June 1962 | White | 5.42 | 3,675 | 132,600 | |
101 | 56 | 1 | 29 | 50 | 3 | 7 June 1962 | Walker | 5.39 | 3,672 | 103,600 | |
102 | 57 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 12 June 1962 | White | 5.02 | 3,517 | 184,600 | |
103 | 58 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 21 June 1962 | White | 5.08 | 3,641 | 246,700 | |
104 | 59 | 1 | 30 | 51 | 3 | 27 June 1962 | Walker | 5.92 | 4,104 | 123,700 | |
105 | 60 | 2 | 24 | 44 | 8 | 29 June 1962 | McKay | 4.95 | 3,280 | 83,200 | |
106 | — | 3 | A | 11 | — | 10 July 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
107 | — | 3 | A | 12 | — | 11 July 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
108 | — | 3 | A | 13 | — | 16 July 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
109 | 61 | 1 | 31 | 52 | 8 | 16 July 1962 | Walker | 5.37 | 3,674 | 107,200 | |
110 | 62 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 17 July 1962 | White | 5.45 | 3,832 | 314,750 | U.S. spaceflight. |
111 | 63 | 2 | 25 | 45 | 8 | 19 July 1962 | McKay | 5.18 | 3,474 | 85,250 | |
112 | 64 | 1 | 32 | 53 | 3 | 26 July 1962 | Armstrong | 5.74 | 3,989 | 98,900 | Armstrong's last free flight. |
113 | — | 3 | A | 15 | — | 1 August 1962 | Walker | — | — | — | |
114 | 65 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 3 | 2 August 1962 | Walker | 5.07 | 3,438 | 144,500 | |
115 | 66 | 2 | 26 | 46 | 8 | 8 August 1962 | Rushworth | 4.40 | 2,943 | 90,877 | |
116 | — | 3 | A | 17 | — | 10 August 1962 | Walker | — | — | — | |
117 | 67 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 3 | 14 August 1962 | Walker | 5.25 | 3,747 | 193,600 | |
118 | 68 | 2 | 27 | 47 | 8 | 20 August 1962 | Rushworth | 5.24 | 3,534 | 88,900 | |
119 | 69 | 2 | 28 | 48 | 8 | 29 August 1962 | Rushworth | 5.12 | 3,447 | 97,200 | |
120 | — | 2 | A | 49 | — | 27 September 1962 | McKay | — | — | — | |
121 | 70 | 2 | 29 | 50 | 8 | 28 September 1962 | McKay | 4.22 | 2,765 | 68,200 | |
122 | 71 | 3 | 10 | 19 | 8 | 4 October 1962 | Rushworth | 5.17 | 3,493 | 112,200 | |
123 | 72 | 2 | 30 | 51 | 3 | 9 October 1962 | McKay | 5.46 | 3,716 | 130,200 | |
124 | 73 | 3 | 11 | 20 | 8 | 23 October 1962 | Rushworth | 5.47 | 3,764 | 134,500 | |
125 | 74 | 2 | 31 | 52 | 8 | 9 November 1962 | McKay | 1.49 | 1,019 | 53,950 | The X-15-2's last free flight. Landing accident damaged craft and injured pilot, leading to modification. |
126 | — | 3 | A | 21 | — | 13 December 1962 | White | — | — | — | |
127 | 75 | 3 | 12 | 22 | 8 | 14 December 1962 | White | 5.65 | 3,742 | 141,400 | White's last free flight. |
128 | 76 | 3 | 13 | 23 | 8 | 20 December 1962 | Walker | 5.73 | 3,793 | 160,400 | |
129 | 77 | 3 | 14 | 24 | 8 | 17 January 1963 | Walker | 5.47 | 3,677 | 271,700 | U.S. spaceflight. |
130 | 78 | 1 | 33 | 54 | 8 | 11 April 1963 | Rushworth | 4.25 | 2,864 | 74,400 | |
131 | 79 | 3 | 15 | 25 | 8 | 18 April 1963 | Walker | 5.51 | 3,770 | 92,500 | |
132 | 80 | 1 | 34 | 55 | 8 | 25 April 1963 | McKay | 5.32 | 3,654 | 105,500 | |
133 | 81 | 3 | 16 | 26 | 8 | 2 May 1963 | Walker | 4.73 | 3,488 | 209,400 | |
134 | — | 3 | A | 27 | — | 10 May 1963 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
135 | 82 | 3 | 17 | 28 | 8 | 14 May 1963 | Rushworth | 5.20 | 3,600 | 95,600 | |
136 | 83 | 1 | 35 | 56 | 3 | 15 May 1963 | McKay | 5.57 | 3,856 | 124,200 | |
137 | 84 | 3 | 18 | 29 | 8 | 29 May 1963 | Walker | 5.52 | 3,858 | 92,000 | |
138 | 85 | 3 | 19 | 30 | 8 | 18 June 1963 | Rushworth | 4.97 | 3,539 | 223,700 | |
139 | 86 | 1 | 36 | 57 | 3 | 25 June 1963 | Walker | 5.51 | 3,911 | 111,800 | |
140 | 87 | 3 | 20 | 31 | 8 | 27 June 1963 | Rushworth | 4.89 | 3,425 | 285,000 | U.S. spaceflight. |
141 | — | 1 | A | 58 | — | 3 July 1963 | Walker | — | — | — | |
142 | 88 | 1 | 37 | 59 | 8 | 9 July 1963 | Walker | 5.07 | 3,631 | 226,400 | |
143 | — | 1 | A | 60 | — | 17 July 1963 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
144 | 89 | 1 | 38 | 61 | 3 | 18 July 1963 | Rushworth | 5.63 | 3,925 | 104,800 | |
145 | 90 | 3 | 21 | 32 | 8 | 19 July 1963 | Walker | 5.50 | 3,710 | 347,800 | FAI spaceflight. Second highest altitude of program. |
146 | — | 3 | A | 33 | — | 6 August 1963 | Walker | — | — | — | |
147 | — | 3 | A | 34 | — | 13 August 1963 | Walker | — | — | — | |
148 | — | 3 | A | 35 | — | 15 August 1963 | Walker | — | — | — | |
149 | 91 | 3 | 22 | 36 | 3 | 22 August 1963 | Walker | 5.58 | 3,794 | 354,200 | FAI spaceflight. Walker's last free flight. Highest altitude of program. |
150 | — | 1 | A | 62 | — | 4 October 1963 | Engle | — | — | — | Engle's first time aloft. |
151 | 92 | 1 | 39 | 63 | 8 | 7 October 1963 | Engle | 4.21 | 2,834 | 77,800 | Engle's first free flight. |
152 | — | 3 | A | 37 | — | 14 October 1963 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
153 | — | 3 | A | 38 | — | 25 October 1963 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
154 | 93 | 1 | 40 | 64 | 8 | 29 October 1963 | Thompson | 4.10 | 2,712 | 74,400 | Thompson's first free flight. |
155 | 94 | 3 | 23 | 39 | 8 | 7 November 1963 | Rushworth | 4.40 | 2,925 | 82,300 | |
156 | 95 | 1 | 41 | 65 | 8 | 14 November 1963 | Engle | 4.75 | 3,286 | 90,800 | |
157 | — | 3 | A | 40 | — | 19 November 1963 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
158 | 96 | 3 | 24 | 41 | 8 | 27 November 1963 | Thompson | 4.94 | 3,310 | 89,800 | |
159 | — | 1 | A | 66 | — | 3 December 1963 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
160 | 97 | 1 | 42 | 67 | 8 | 5 December 1963 | Rushworth | 6.06 | 4,018 | 101,000 | |
161 | — | 1 | A | 68 | — | 18 December 1963 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
162 | 98 | 1 | 43 | 69 | 8 | 8 January 1964 | Engle | 5.32 | 3,616 | 139,900 | |
163 | 99 | 3 | 25 | 42 | 8 | 16 January 1964 | Thompson | 4.92 | 3,242 | 71,000 | |
164 | 100 | 1 | 44 | 70 | 8 | 28 January 1964 | Rushworth | 5.34 | 3,618 | 107,400 | |
165 | 101 | 3 | 26 | 43 | 3 | 19 February 1964 | Thompson | 5.29 | 3,519 | 78,600 | |
166 | 102 | 3 | 27 | 44 | 3 | 13 March 1964 | McKay | 5.11 | 3,392 | 76,000 | |
167 | — | 1 | A | 71 | — | 17 March 1964 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
168 | 103 | 1 | 45 | 72 | 3 | 27 March 1964 | Rushworth | 5.63 | 3,827 | 101,500 | |
169 | — | 3 | A | 45 | — | 31 March 1964 | McKay | — | — | — | |
170 | 104 | 1 | 46 | 73 | 3 | 8 April 1964 | Engle | 5.01 | 3,468 | 175,000 | |
171 | 105 | 1 | 47 | 74 | 3 | 29 April 1964 | Rushworth | 5.72 | 3,906 | 101,600 | |
172 | — | 3 | A | 46 | — | 11 May 1964 | McKay | — | — | — | |
173 | 106 | 3 | 28 | 47 | 3 | 12 May 1964 | McKay | 4.66 | 3,084 | 72,800 | |
174 | 107 | 1 | 48 | 75 | 3 | 19 May 1964 | Engle | 5.02 | 3,494 | 195,800 | |
175 | 108 | 3 | 29 | 48 | 3 | 21 May 1964 | Thompson | 2.90 | 1,865 | 64,200 | |
176 | — | 1 | A | 76 | — | 11 June 1964 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
177 | — | 2 | C | 53 | — | 15 June 1964 | Rushworth | — | — | — | The X-15A-2's first time aloft. Return to service of modified craft. |
178 | — | 2 | A | 54 | — | 23 June 1964 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
179 | 109 | 2 | 32 | 55 | 3 | 25 June 1964 | Rushworth | 4.59 | 3,104 | 83,300 | The X-15A-2's first free flight. Return flight of modified craft. |
180 | 110 | 1 | 49 | 77 | 3 | 30 June 1964 | McKay | 4.96 | 3,334 | 99,600 | |
181 | — | 3 | A | 49 | — | 2 July 1964 | Engle | — | — | — | |
182 | 111 | 3 | 30 | 50 | 3 | 8 July 1964 | Engle | 5.05 | 3,520 | 170,400 | |
183 | — | 3 | A | 51 | — | 28 July 1964 | Engle | — | — | — | |
184 | 112 | 3 | 31 | 52 | 3 | 29 July 1964 | Engle | 5.38 | 3,623 | 78,000 | |
185 | 113 | 3 | 32 | 53 | 3 | 12 August 1964 | Thompson | 5.24 | 3,535 | 81,200 | |
186 | 114 | 2 | 33 | 56 | 3 | 14 August 1964 | Rushworth | 5.23 | 3,590 | 103,300 | |
187 | 115 | 3 | 33 | 54 | 3 | 26 August 1964 | McKay | 5.65 | 3,863 | 91,000 | |
188 | 116 | 3 | 34 | 55 | 3 | 3 September 1964 | Thompson | 5.35 | 3,615 | 78,600 | |
189 | — | 3 | A | 56 | — | 23 September 1964 | Engle | — | — | — | |
190 | 117 | 3 | 35 | 57 | 3 | 28 September 1964 | Engle | 5.59 | 3,888 | 97,000 | |
191 | 118 | 2 | 34 | 57 | 8 | 29 September 1964 | Rushworth | 5.20 | 3,542 | 97,800 | |
192 | — | 1 | A | 78 | — | 2 October 1964 | McKay | — | — | — | |
193 | 119 | 1 | 50 | 79 | 8 | 15 October 1964 | McKay | 4.56 | 3,048 | 84,900 | |
194 | — | 3 | C | 58 | — | 29 October 1964 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
195 | 120 | 3 | 36 | 59 | 8 | 30 October 1964 | Thompson | 4.66 | 3,113 | 84,600 | |
196 | — | 2 | C | 58 | — | 6 November 1964 | McKay | — | — | — | |
197 | — | 2 | C | 59 | — | 16 November 1964 | McKay | — | — | — | |
198 | 121 | 2 | 35 | 60 | 8 | 30 November 1964 | McKay | 4.66 | 3,089 | 87,200 | |
199 | — | 1 | A | 80 | — | 4 December 1964 | Engle | — | — | — | |
200 | 122 | 3 | 37 | 60 | 8 | 9 December 1964 | Thompson | 5.42 | 3,723 | 92,400 | |
201 | 123 | 1 | 51 | 81 | 3 | 10 December 1964 | Engle | 5.35 | 3,675 | 113,200 | |
202 | 124 | 3 | 38 | 61 | 3 | 22 December 1964 | Rushworth | 5.55 | 3,593 | 81,200 | |
203 | 125 | 3 | 39 | 62 | 3 | 13 January 1965 | Thompson | 5.48 | 3,712 | 99,400 | |
204 | — | 1 | A | 82 | — | 26 January 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
205 | 126 | 3 | 40 | 63 | 8 | 2 February 1965 | Engle | 5.71 | 3,885 | 98,200 | |
206 | — | 2 | C | 61 | — | 15 February 1965 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
207 | — | 2 | C | 62 | — | 15 February 1965 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
208 | 127 | 2 | 36 | 63 | 8 | 17 February 1965 | Rushworth | 5.27 | 3,511 | 95,100 | |
209 | — | 1 | A | 83 | — | 19 February 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
210 | — | 1 | A | 84 | — | 25 February 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
211 | 128 | 1 | 52 | 85 | 8 | 26 February 1965 | McKay | 5.40 | 3,750 | 153,600 | |
212 | 129 | 1 | 53 | 86 | 8 | 26 March 1965 | Rushworth | 5.17 | 3,580 | 101,900 | |
213 | 130 | 3 | 41 | 64 | 8 | 23 April 1965 | Engle | 5.48 | 3,580 | 79,700 | |
214 | 131 | 2 | 37 | 64 | 8 | 28 April 1965 | McKay | 4.80 | 3,273 | 92,600 | |
215 | — | 1 | A | 87 | — | 11 May 1965 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
216 | — | 2 | A | 65 | — | 13 May 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
217 | 132 | 2 | 38 | 66 | 8 | 18 May 1965 | McKay | 5.17 | 3,541 | 102,100 | |
218 | 133 | 1 | 54 | 88 | 8 | 25 May 1965 | Thompson | 4.87 | 3,418 | 179,800 | |
219 | 134 | 3 | 42 | 65 | 8 | 28 May 1965 | Engle | 5.17 | 3,754 | 209,600 | |
220 | — | 2 | A | 67 | — | 4 June 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
221 | — | 2 | A | 68 | — | 8 June 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
222 | — | 2 | A | 69 | — | 11 June 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
223 | 135 | 3 | 43 | 66 | 3 | 16 June 1965 | Engle | 4.69 | 3,404 | 244,700 | |
224 | 136 | 1 | 55 | 89 | 8 | 17 June 1965 | Thompson | 5.14 | 3,541 | 108,500 | |
225 | 137 | 2 | 39 | 70 | 8 | 22 June 1965 | McKay | 5.64 | 3,938 | 155,900 | |
226 | 138 | 3 | 44 | 67 | 8 | 29 June 1965 | Engle | 4.94 | 3,432 | 280,600 | U.S. spaceflight. |
227 | — | 2 | A | 71 | — | 2 July 1965 | McKay | — | — | — | |
228 | 139 | 2 | 40 | 72 | 3 | 8 July 1965 | McKay | 5.19 | 3,659 | 212,600 | |
229 | — | 3 | A | 68 | — | 13 July 1965 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
230 | 140 | 3 | 45 | 69 | 8 | 20 July 1965 | Rushworth | 5.40 | 3,760 | 105,400 | |
231 | — | 1 | A | 90 | — | 23 July 1965 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
232 | — | 1 | A | 91 | — | 27 July 1965 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
233 | — | 1 | A | 92 | — | 28 July 1965 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
234 | 141 | 2 | 41 | 73 | 8 | 3 August 1965 | Rushworth | 5.16 | 3,602 | 208,700 | |
235 | 142 | 1 | 56 | 93 | 8 | 6 August 1965 | Thompson | 5.15 | 3,534 | 103,200 | |
236 | 143 | 3 | 46 | 70 | 3 | 10 August 1965 | Engle | 5.20 | 3,550 | 271,000 | U.S. spaceflight. |
237 | — | 1 | A | 94 | — | 20 August 1965 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
238 | — | 1 | A | 95 | — | 24 August 1965 | Thompson | — | — | — | |
239 | 144 | 1 | 57 | 96 | 3 | 25 August 1965 | Thompson | 5.11 | 3,604 | 214,100 | Thompson's last free flight. |
240 | 145 | 3 | 47 | 71 | 8 | 26 August 1965 | Rushworth | 4.79 | 3,372 | 239,600 | |
241 | 146 | 2 | 42 | 74 | 8 | 2 September 1965 | McKay | 5.16 | 3,570 | 239,800 | |
242 | 147 | 1 | 58 | 97 | 8 | 9 September 1965 | Rushworth | 5.25 | 3,534 | 97,200 | |
243 | 148 | 3 | 48 | 72 | 8 | 14 September 1965 | McKay | 5.03 | 3,519 | 239,000 | |
244 | 149 | 1 | 59 | 98 | 3 | 22 September 1965 | Rushworth | 5.18 | 3,550 | 100,300 | |
245 | 150 | 3 | 49 | 73 | 3 | 28 September 1965 | McKay | 5.33 | 3,732 | 295,600 | U.S. spaceflight. |
246 | 151 | 1 | 60 | 99 | 3 | 30 September 1965 | Knight | 4.06 | 2,718 | 76,600 | Knight's first free flight. |
247 | — | 1 | A | 100 | — | 8 October 1965 | Engle | — | — | — | |
248 | 152 | 3 | 50 | 74 | 8 | 12 October 1965 | Knight | 4.62 | 3,108 | 94,400 | |
249 | 153 | 1 | 61 | 101 | 3 | 14 October 1965 | Engle | 5.08 | 3,554 | 266,500 | U.S. spaceflight. Engle's last free flight. |
250 | 154 | 3 | 51 | 75 | 3 | 27 October 1965 | McKay | 5.06 | 3,519 | 236,900 | |
251 | — | 1 | A | 102 | — | 2 November 1965 | Dana | — | — | — | Dana's first time aloft. |
252 | 155 | 2 | 43 | 75 | 3 | 3 November 1965 | Rushworth | 2.31 | 1,500 | 70,600 | |
253 | 156 | 1 | 62 | 103 | 8 | 4 November 1965 | Dana | 4.22 | 2,765 | 80,200 | Dana's first free flight. |
254 | — | 2 | A | 76 | — | 13 April 1966 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
255 | — | 2 | A | 77 | — | 20 April 1966 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
256 | — | 2 | A | 78 | — | 5 May 1966 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
257 | 157 | 1 | 63 | 104 | 3 | 6 May 1966 | McKay | 2.21 | 1,434 | 68,400 | |
258 | 158 | 2 | 44 | 79 | 3 | 18 May 1966 | Rushworth | 5.43 | 3,689 | 99,000 | |
259 | — | 1 | A | 105 | — | 2 June 1966 | McKay | — | — | — | |
260 | — | 1 | A | 106 | — | 10 June 1966 | McKay | — | — | — | |
261 | — | 3 | A | 76 | — | 20 June 1966 | Dana | — | — | — | |
262 | — | 2 | C | 80 | — | 27 June 1966 | Rushworth | — | — | — | |
263 | 159 | 2 | 45 | 81 | 8 | 1 July 1966 | Rushworth | 1.70 | 1,061 | 44,800 | Rushworth's last free flight. |
264 | 160 | 1 | 64 | 107 | 3 | 12 July 1966 | Knight | 5.34 | 3,652 | 130,000 | |
265 | — | 3 | A | 77 | — | 13 July 1966 | Dana | — | — | — | |
266 | 161 | 3 | 52 | 78 | 3 | 18 July 1966 | Dana | 4.71 | 3,217 | 96,100 | |
267 | — | 2 | A | 82 | — | 20 July 1966 | Knight | — | — | — | |
268 | 162 | 2 | 46 | 83 | 3 | 21 July 1966 | Knight | 5.12 | 3,568 | 192,300 | |
269 | 163 | 1 | 65 | 108 | 8 | 28 July 1966 | McKay | 5.19 | 3,702 | 241,800 | |
270 | 164 | 2 | 47 | 84 | 8 | 3 August 1966 | Knight | 5.03 | 3,440 | 249,000 | |
271 | 165 | 3 | 53 | 79 | 8 | 4 August 1966 | Dana | 5.34 | 3,693 | 132,700 | |
272 | — | 1 | A | 109 | — | 9 August 1966 | McKay | — | — | — | |
273 | — | 1 | A | 110 | — | 10 August 1966 | McKay | — | — | — | |
274 | 166 | 1 | 66 | 111 | 3 | 11 August 1966 | McKay | 5.21 | 3,590 | 251,000 | |
275 | 167 | 2 | 48 | 85 | 3 | 12 August 1966 | Knight | 5.02 | 3,472 | 231,100 | |
276 | 168 | 3 | 54 | 80 | 3 | 19 August 1966 | Dana | 5.20 | 3,607 | 178,000 | |
277 | 169 | 1 | 67 | 112 | 3 | 25 August 1966 | McKay | 5.11 | 3,543 | 257,500 | |
278 | 170 | 2 | 49 | 86 | 8 | 30 August 1966 | Knight | 5.21 | 3,543 | 102,200 | |
279 | 171 | 1 | 68 | 113 | 8 | 8 September 1966 | McKay | 2.44 | 1,602 | 73,200 | McKay's last free flight. |
280 | — | 3 | A | 81 | — | 13 September 1966 | Dana | — | — | — | |
281 | 172 | 3 | 55 | 82 | 3 | 14 September 1966 | Dana | 5.12 | 3,586 | 254,200 | |
282 | — | 1 | A | 114 | — | 28 September 1966 | Adams | — | — | — | Adams' first time aloft. |
283 | — | 1 | A | 115 | — | 4 October 1966 | Adams | — | — | — | |
284 | 173 | 1 | 69 | 116 | 3 | 6 October 1966 | Adams | 3.00 | 1,977 | 75,400 | Adams' first free flight. |
285 | — | 2 | A | 87 | — | 7 October 1966 | Knight | — | — | — | |
286 | — | 2 | A | 88 | — | 19 October 1966 | Knight | — | — | — | |
287 | 174 | 3 | 56 | 83 | 3 | 1 November 1966 | Dana | 5.46 | 3,750 | 306,900 | U.S. spaceflight. |
288 | — | 3 | A | 84 | — | 18 November 1966 | Dana | — | — | — | |
289 | 175 | 2 | 50 | 89 | 8 | 18 November 1966 | Knight | 6.33 | 4,250 | 98,900 | |
290 | — | 3 | A | 85 | — | 23 November 1966 | Adams | — | — | — | |
291 | 176 | 3 | 57 | 86 | 3 | 29 November 1966 | Adams | 4.65 | 3,120 | 92,100 | |
292 | — | 2 | C | 90 | — | 22 December 1966 | Knight | — | — | — | |
293 | — | 1 | A | 117 | — | 15 March 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
294 | — | 1 | A | 118 | — | 21 March 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
295 | 177 | 1 | 70 | 119 | 3 | 22 March 1967 | Adams | 5.59 | 3,822 | 133,100 | |
296 | — | 1 | A | 120 | — | 20 April 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
297 | 178 | 3 | 58 | 87 | 8 | 26 April 1967 | Dana | 1.80 | 1,163 | 53,400 | |
298 | 179 | 1 | 71 | 121 | 3 | 28 April 1967 | Adams | 5.44 | 3,720 | 167,200 | |
299 | — | 2 | A | 91 | — | 5 May 1967 | Knight | — | — | — | |
300 | 180 | 2 | 51 | 92 | 8 | 8 May 1967 | Knight | 4.75 | 3,193 | 97,600 | |
301 | — | 3 | A | 88 | — | 12 May 1967 | Dana | — | — | — | |
302 | 181 | 3 | 59 | 89 | 3 | 17 May 1967 | Dana | 4.80 | 3,177 | 71,100 | |
303 | — | 1 | A | 122 | — | 26 May 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
304 | — | 1 | A | 123 | — | 1 June 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
305 | — | 1 | A | 124 | — | 14 June 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
306 | 182 | 1 | 72 | 125 | 3 | 15 June 1967 | Adams | 5.14 | 3,606 | 229,300 | |
307 | 183 | 3 | 60 | 90 | 8 | 22 June 1967 | Dana | 5.34 | 3,611 | 82,200 | |
308 | 184 | 1 | 73 | 126 | 8 | 29 June 1967 | Knight | 4.23 | 2,870 | 173,000 | |
309 | 185 | 3 | 61 | 91 | 8 | 20 July 1967 | Dana | 5.44 | 3,693 | 84,300 | |
310 | — | 2 | C | 93 | — | 7 August 1967 | Knight | — | — | — | |
311 | — | 2 | A | 94 | — | 11 August 1967 | Knight | — | — | — | |
312 | — | 2 | A | 95 | — | 16 August 1967 | Knight | — | — | — | |
313 | 186 | 2 | 52 | 96 | 8 | 21 August 1967 | Knight | 4.94 | 3,368 | 91,000 | |
314 | 187 | 3 | 62 | 92 | 3 | 25 August 1967 | Adams | 4.63 | 3,115 | 84,400 | |
315 | — | 3 | A | 93 | — | 22 September 1967 | Dana | — | — | — | |
316 | 188 | 2 | 53 | 97 | 8 | 3 October 1967 | Knight | 6.70 | 4,520 | 102,100 | Highest Mach and speed records of program. The X-15A-2's last free flight. Craft retired after setting records. |
317 | 189 | 3 | 63 | 94 | 3 | 4 October 1967 | Dana | 5.53 | 3,897 | 251,100 | |
318 | 190 | 3 | 64 | 95 | 8 | 17 October 1967 | Knight | 5.53 | 3,856 | 280,500 | U.S. spaceflight. |
319 | — | 3 | A | 96 | — | 31 October 1967 | Adams | — | — | — | |
320 | 191 | 3 | 65 | 97 | 8 | 15 November 1967 | Adams | 5.20 | 3,570 | 266,000 | U.S. spaceflight. The X-15-3's last free flight. Adams' last free flight. Fatal disaster. |
321 | — | 1 | C | 127 | — | 6 February 1968 | Dana | — | — | — | |
322 | — | 1 | A | 128 | — | 7 February 1968 | Dana | — | — | — | |
323 | — | 1 | A | 129 | — | 27 February 1968 | Dana | — | — | — | |
324 | 192 | 1 | 74 | 130 | 8 | 1 March 1968 | Dana | 4.36 | 2,878 | 104,500 | |
325 | — | 1 | A | 131 | — | 28 March 1968 | Dana | — | — | — | |
326 | — | 1 | A | 132 | — | 3 April 1968 | Dana | — | — | — | |
327 | 193 | 1 | 75 | 133 | 8 | 4 April 1968 | Dana | 5.27 | 3,610 | 187,500 | |
328 | 194 | 1 | 76 | 134 | 8 | 26 April 1968 | Knight | 5.05 | 3,545 | 209,600 | |
329 | — | 1 | A | 135 | — | 23 May 1968 | Dana | — | — | — | |
330 | 195 | 1 | 77 | 136 | 8 | 12 June 1968 | Dana | 5.15 | 3,563 | 220,100 | |
331 | — | 1 | A | 137 | — | 15 July 1968 | Knight | — | — | — | |
332 | 196 | 1 | 78 | 138 | 3 | 16 July 1968 | Knight | 4.79 | 3,382 | 221,500 | |
333 | 197 | 1 | 79 | 139 | 3 | 21 August 1968 | Dana | 5.01 | 3,443 | 267,500 | U.S. spaceflight. |
334 | 198 | 1 | 80 | 140 | 3 | 13 September 1968 | Knight | 5.37 | 3,723 | 254,100 | Knight's last free flight. |
335 | 199 | 1 | 81 | 141 | 3 | 24 October 1968 | Dana | 5.38 | 3,716 | 255,000 | The X-15-1's last free flight. Dana's last free flight. Last free flight of program. |
336 | — | 1 | A | 142 | — | 12 December 1968 | Knight | — | — | — | The X-15-1's last time aloft. Knight's last time aloft. Last time aloft of program. |
See also[]
Notes[]
- ^ All data presented in this article's primary table are taken directly from Evans, including information about the captive and aborted flights. Evans does not provide carrier, Mach, velocity or altitude data for the captive and aborted flights, and these fields are therefore left blank. Jenkins (2000, Appendix 9) provides a subset of the data given by Evans, for the free flights only. In almost all cases, the two data sets match exactly. However, there are some minor discrepancies. For free flights 18, 73, 127, 128, 130, 131, 160, 190 and 191, Jenkins reports maximum velocities of 2,195, 3,716, 3,539, 3,702, 3,657, 3,260, 3,661, 3,869 and 3,617 miles per hour, respectively. Jenkins also reports maximum altitudes of 100,200 and 92,000 feet, and a maximum Mach of 4.17 for free flights 170, 176 and 184, respectively.
- ^ This summary table combines all captive and aborted flights into single entries, and makes no distinction between the X-15-2 and the X-15A-2.
- ^ See Jenkins[10] for this letter. Also note that the letter gives a partial listing of the first several program flights, including aborts and captive carries, which agree with Evans and this article's table.
- ^ Further, the grand totals of program flights are encoded in the designations of each X-15's final flight. The X-15A-2 was retired and never taken aloft again after setting the program's speed records on free flight 2-53-97 (or flight 188). Shortly thereafter, the X-15-3 was destroyed on its final free flight, 3-65-97 (or flight 191), killing pilot Michael Adams. The X-15-1 remained in service until 1968, performing final free flight 1-81-141 (or flight 199). However, the X-15-1 was taken aloft one last time on aborted flight 1-A-142, in one of several failed efforts to make a 200th and final free flight in the program. The sum of the final free flight numbers' second parts, 53, 65 and 81, return the 199 overall free flights of the program. The sum of the three final flights' third parts, 97, 97 and 142, return the grand total 336 flights of the program. Subtracting the former from the latter gives 137, the total aborted and captive flights.
- ^ This column sorts notable flights in a hierarchical ordering of attributes. First, the two flights above 100 km, denoted "FAI spaceflight", are listed (by altitude). Second, the eleven flights between 50 mi and 100 km, denoted "U.S. spaceflight" are listed (chronologically). Third, the flight setting the program's Mach and speed records is listed. Fourth, each plane's first and last times aloft or in flight are listed (sequentially, then chronologically). Fifth, each pilot's first and last times aloft or in flight are listed (alphabetically, then chronologically). Finally, general comments are made in some cases. If a flight has more than one attribute, it is sorted with its attribute of highest precedence, as in the above ordering.
References[]
- ^ Evans, Michelle (2013). "The X-15 Rocket Plane: Flying the First Wings Into Space-Flight Log" (PDF). Mach 25 Media.
- ^ Jenkins, Dennis R. (June 2000). "Hypersonics Before the Shuttle: a Concise History of the X-15 Research Airplane" (PDF). Monographs in Aerospace History (18). NASA. pp. 118–121. Appendix 9, X-15 Program Flight Log.
- ^ Jenkins, Dennis R. (2010). X-15: Extending The Frontiers of Flight. NASA. ISBN 978-1-4700-2585-4.
- ^ Jenkins (2000), Appendix 8, p. 117.
- ^ Johnsen, Frederick A. (23 August 2005). "X-15 Pioneers Honored as Astronauts". NASA.
- ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (23 August 2005). "Former NASA X-15 Pilots Awarded Astronaut Wings". space.com.
- ^ Evans, pp. 13–14.
- ^ Evans, p. 13.
- ^ Evans, p. 26. Aborted flight 2-A-38, 25 April 1962.
- ^ Jenkins (2000), Appendix 6, p. 115.
- ^ Evans, p. 30.
- ^ Jenkins (2000), pp. 57–59.
Further reading[]
- McDowell, Jonathan (Spring 1994). "The X-15 Spaceplane, (with) X-15 Flight Log". Quest: The History of Spaceflight. 3 (1): 4–12.
- X-15 flights
- Flight lists