To the Edge of Space and Beyond
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Free, Tickets Required
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Free, Tickets Required
7:00 p.m. Film highlights from X-15 The Edge of Space -- Rare film footage from North American Aviation, USAF and NASA of X-15 test flights, including a report from Joe Engle
8:00 p.m. Lecture
Maj. Gen. Joe Engle is a highly decorated pilot with a multitude of experiences in air and space. He has logged more than 14,700 hours in the air piloting more than 185 different types of aircraft, and has logged over 225 hours in space.
Engle graduated from the Air Force Experimental Test Pilot School, and one of his 1964 test flights in the X-15 to a height of more than 50 miles earned him the distinction of being the youngest astronaut, and the youngest Air Force officer ever to wear astronaut's wings.
Engle was one of the 19 astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966 and served as support crew and backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 10 and 14, respectively.
In the space shuttle era, he became one of only four astronauts to pilot the first shuttle, Enterprise, on free flight landings. He was the back-up commander for STS-1, the first orbital test flight of Space Shuttle Columbia. He was commander on Columbia's second flight, and later on a mission in Space Shuttle Discovery.
Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1985, Engle joined the Kansas Air National Guard, becoming a major general. Engle now serves on NASA’s ISS Advisory Committee, and enjoys flying vintage WW II airplanes.
This event is made possible by the generous support of Bombardier.
We rely on the generous support of donors, sponsors, members, and other benefactors to share the history and impact of aviation and spaceflight, educate the public, and inspire future generations. With your help, we can continue to preserve and safeguard the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts representing the great achievements of flight and space exploration.