This picture shows the Instrument Panel of the X-15. It’s cloose to full size. 3 X-15’s were built and over the years their I.P.’s changed.

The NASA X-15 program was a groundbreaking series of experimental rocket-powered aircraft flights conducted in the 1950s and 1960s. It was a joint effort involving NASA (then NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) and the U.S. Air Force, along with contributions from various aerospace organizations. The program aimed to investigate and advance high-speed, high-altitude flight and gather valuable data for future spaceflight and aircraft design. Here are key details about the NASA X-15 program:

1. Objective: The primary goal of the X-15 program was to study and explore the characteristics of flight at high speeds and altitudes, as well as the reentry into Earth’s atmosphere from space-like conditions. It also aimed to provide data for designing future spacecraft and spaceplanes.
2. Aircraft: The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft with a distinctive black and white color scheme. It had a slender, dart-like shape and featured a delta wing design. The X-15 had a length of about 50 feet (15 meters) and a wingspan of 22 feet (6.7 meters).
3. Rocket Engine: Each X-15 aircraft was equipped with a powerful XLR99 rocket engine, developed by Reaction Motors, Inc. This engine used a combination of liquid ammonia and liquid oxygen as propellants.
4. Pilots: The X-15 program had a roster of highly skilled test pilots, including Neil Armstrong, who would later become the first human to walk on the Moon. Other notable X-15 pilots included Joe Walker, Scott Crossfield, and William J. “Pete” Knight.
5. Flights: The X-15 completed a total of 199 flights between 1959 and 1968. These flights reached altitudes of up to 107.8 kilometers (67 miles) and speeds exceeding Mach 6.7 (4,520 miles per hour).
6. Research Areas: The X-15 program collected data on aerodynamics, aircraft stability, heat resistance, and human physiological responses at high altitudes and speeds. It also contributed to the development of advanced materials and technologies for future spacecraft.
7. Spaceplane Capabilities: The X-15 was not only a research aircraft but also had some spaceplane-like features. It could glide back to Earth after reaching the peak of its trajectory, much like the Space Shuttle, providing valuable experience in spaceplane operations.
8. Achievements: The X-15 program achieved several significant milestones, including:
   • Setting multiple altitude and speed records.
   • Conducting suborbital spaceflights.
   • Gathering crucial data for NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.
9. Legacy: The X-15 program greatly contributed to the development of high-speed aircraft, reentry technology, and the understanding of human performance in space-like conditions. Its data and experiences played a vital role in shaping the early days of human spaceflight.
10. Retirement: The X-15 program officially ended in 1970. The three X-15 aircraft used in the program are now on display at various museums and institutions, including the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The NASA X-15 program was a pioneering effort that pushed the boundaries of flight and paved the way for the development of future spaceplanes and spaceflight technologies. It remains a symbol of innovation and the pursuit of scientific knowledge in aerospace exploration.