Vehicle / SINCE 1959

North American X-15

NASA Discontinued airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/north-american-x-15

ABOUT

The North American X-15 currently holds the record for the highest speed in a manned, powered aircraft. The three variants of the X-15 flew nearly 200 times, with 13 of them going over 80km high.

SPECIFICATIONS 8

Type Spaceplane

Height 15.45 m

Diameter 6.8 m

Crew Capacity 1

Human Rated Yes

Total Launches 13

Successful Launches 12

Maiden Flight 1959-06-08