X-15 The Hypersonic Research Airplane from NACA to NASA | X Plane Series by PilotPhotog

The North American X-15 was an experimental Air Force and NASA Hypersonic Rocket powered aircraft that was used to investigate materials, aerodynamic design, and control systems associated with high altitude boost and reentry. Launched from an NB-52 mothership the X-15 would engage its rocket motor and perform what was then termed a space leap: leave the atmosphere, enter the fringes of outer space and perform a re-entry. Over 50 years later, the X-15 still holds the speed record as the fastest man powered aircraft: Mach 6.72
And in case you're wondering, hypersonic flight is defined as greater than Mach 5, and during this time an altitude of 300,000 feet or 91,440 meters was defined as the point where aerodynamic effects were near zero and space began.

Notable features of the X-15 include Small trapezoidal wings, landing skids, and a wedge shaped tail. Let's take a look at some specifications of the X-15:
Specifications

Length: 50 FT 9 IN (15.47 M)
Height: 13 FT 3 IN (4.04 M)
Wingspan: 22 FT 4 IN (6.81 M)
Wing area: 200 sq FT (19 M2)
Empty weight: 14,600 lb (6,622 kg)
ENGINE: 1 × REACTION MOTORS XLR99-RM-2 LIQUID FUELED ROCKET ENGINE,
VARIABLE THRUST FROM 15,000 LBF (66.72 kN) to 57,000 LBF (253.55 kN)
Maximum speed: MACH 6.7 4,520 MPH (7,270 KMH, 3,930 KN)
Service ceiling: 354,330 FT (108,000 M)
Rate of climb: 60,000 FT/MIN (300 M/S)
Thrust/weight: 2.07
Credits/Attributions:
"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."

Images and footage credit: NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/

X15 at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio Photo:
Dsdugan / CC0

Pitot Tube Photo:
Cassiopeia sweet / Public domain

Music from https://filmmusic.io "Hiding Your Reality" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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