X-15 aircraft control panel. This panel, from the third X-15 aircraft, shows the final Honeywell MH-96 configuration as it appeared in 1966. The X-15

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X-15 aircraft control panel. This panel, from the third X-15 aircraft, shows the final Honeywell MH-96 configuration as it appeared in 1966. The X-15 was a rocket-powered research aircraft designed to investigate flight at hypersonic speeds. Three X-15s flew a total of 199 missions between 1959 and 1968. The X-15 was carried into the air by a converted B-52 bomber and released at high altitude. The pilot then ignited the X-15's rocket motor. It was the first plane to reach the edge of outer space and set records for the fastest manned aircraft (7,274 kilometres per hour, or Mach ). Photographed on 5 April 1966.

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Size: 3340px × 2672px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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