X-15 rocket-powered aircraft
14 of 15 from NASA moves historic images into Flickr archives (photos)
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With brilliant contrails reflecting in the bright California sun, the 50-foot-long X-15 rocket-powered aircraft careens upward after launching from what is now known as the Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif.
The X-15 was flown over a period of 10 years--beginning in June 1959--in a program to investigate all aspects of manned hypersonic flight. In that time, the aircraft would set unofficial world records for both speed (at 4,520 mph, or Mach 6.7) and altitude (at 354,200 feet).
Return to the story: "NASA brings historic photos to Flickr Commons"
August 30, 2010 6:40 PM PDT
Photo by: NASA
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