• North American X-15, a black and chrome-colored aircraft powered by rockets, as displayed in the museum.
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    The North American X-15, a rocket-powered research aircraft, bridged the gap between manned flight in the atmosphere and space flight. After its initial test flights in 1959, the X-15 became the first winged aircraft to attain hypersonic velocities of Mach 4, 5, and 6 (four to six times the speed of sound) and to operate at altitudes well above 30,500 meters (100,000 feet). The X-15 is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.

  • North American X-15, a black and chrome-colored aircraft powered by rockets, as displayed in the museum.

Created:

2008

Photographer:

Eric Long

ID#:

NASM 2008-5559

Source:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

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North American X-15

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