Ebook: X-15: Extending the Frontiers of Flight

The X-15 was the ultimate "X" vehicle. Built in the 1950s, she became the fastest and highest-flying winged aircraft of its time. During 199 flights from 1959 through 1968, she collected data about hypersonic flight that was invaluable to aeronautics and to developers of the space shuttle. This book describes the genesis of the program, the design and construction of the aircraft, years of research flights and the experiments that flew aboard them.-publisher description.;Foreword / William H. Dana -- Rockets over the high desert -- A new science -- A hypersonic research airplane -- Conflict and innovation -- The million-horsepower engine -- High range and dry lakes -- Preparations -- The flight program -- The research program -- Selected biographies. Michael J. Adams ; Neil A. Armstrong ; John V. Becker ; Paul F. Bikle ; A. Scott Crossfield ; William H. Dana ; Hugh L. Dryden ; Joe H. Engle ; Charles H. Feltz ; Iven C. Kincheloe, Jr. ; William J. Knight ; John A. Manke ; John B. McKay ; Forrest S. Peterson ; Robert A. Rushworth ; Hartley A. Soulé ; Harrison A. Storms, Jr. ; Milton O. Thompson ; Joseph A. Walker ; Alvin S. White ; Robert M. White ; Walter C. Williams -- Flight log -- Physical characteristics of the X-15 airplane.