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Lent by Langley Research Center
This painted wood model was used to test the spin characteristics of the
X-15 vehicle. September 17, 1959 marked the first flight of the X-15
rocket plane. Over the following decade the X-15 set speed and altitude
records to prepare for future flights of humans in space. The X-15
attained an astonishing height of more than 354,000 feet above the earth
at speeds greater than 4,500 miles per hour. Three aircraft were
manufactured, and together they flew 199 flights between 1959 until
1968. Future astronaut Neil Armstrong was one of its test pilots.
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