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X-15 Mounted to B-52 Mothership Pylon in Flight
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X-15 Mounted to B-52 Mothership Pylon in Flight
This photo illustrates how the X-15 rocket powered aircraft was taken aloft under the wing of a B-52. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45, 000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. This photo was taken from one of the observation windows in the B-52 shortly before dropping the X-15. The X-15 was flown over a period of nearly 10 years -- June 1959 to Oct. 1968 -- and set the worlds unofficial speed and altitude records of 4, 520 mph (Mach 6.7) and 354, 200 ft in a program to investigate all aspects of manned hypersonic flight. Information gained from the highly successful X-15 program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo manned spaceflight programs, and also the Space Shuttle program. The X-15s made a total of 199 flights, and were manufactured by North American Aviation. X-15-1, serial number 56-6670, is now located at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. North American X-15A-2, serial number 56-6671, is at the United States Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The X-15-3, serial number 56-6672, crashed on November 15, 1967, resulting in the death of Major Michael J. Adams
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Media ID 634515
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Dryden North American Aviation
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This print showcases the remarkable X-15 rocket powered aircraft mounted to a B-52 mothership pylon in flight. It vividly captures the awe-inspiring moment when the X-15 was air-launched from a B-52 at an altitude of 45,000 ft and a speed of approximately 500 mph. The image was taken through one of the observation windows in the B-52 just before releasing the X-15 into its high-speed journey. The X-15 program spanned nearly a decade, from June 1959 to October 1968, during which it achieved extraordinary feats. This experimental aircraft shattered world records by reaching speeds of up to 4,520 mph (Mach 6.7) and soaring to altitudes as high as 354,200 ft. Its groundbreaking research on manned hypersonic flight played an integral role in shaping subsequent space exploration missions such as Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and even the Space Shuttle program. Manufactured by North American Aviation, these cutting-edge X-15s completed a total of 199 flights. Sadly, tragedy struck when X-15-3 (serial number:56-6672) crashed on November 15th, 1967 resulting in Major Michael J. Adams' untimely death. Today this specific model captured in this photograph holds historical significance; it is known as X-15 -1 (serial number:56–6670), now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum located in Washington DC. Another variant called North American X–15A–2 (serial number:56–6671) can be found at United States Air Force Museum situated at Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio
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