351K views · 6K reactions | Today marks 65 years since the first...

The North American X-15 rocket-powered research aircraft bridged the gap between piloted flight within the atmosphere and piloted flight beyond the atmosphere into space. After completing its initial test flights in 1959, the X-15 became the first winged aircraft to attain velocities of Mach 4, 5, and 6 (four, five, and six times the speed of sound). For more photography highlights, check out the Air and Space Photo project: https://s.si.edu/airandspacephoto | National Air and Space Museum, Smit

78K views · 1.9K reactions | The North American X-15 was a plane built for extreme speeds. Every part of its groundbreaking design was aimed at achieving one thing: reducing the heat generated by hypersonic travel. Space Disasters | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation | Facebook