Flight of the X-15 Hypersonic Rocket ... North American Aviation chief test pilot Scott Crossfield conducted the first, unpowered glide flight of the X-15 rocket plane (56-6670) on June 8, 1959, after being airdropped from a NB-52A Stratofortress at Edwards AFB. #history #military #usaf | MilitaryPhotoDepot

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