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X-15: Wings Into Space Flying the First Reusable Spacecraft by Michelle Evans |
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"X-15: Wings Into Space" is a book chronicling the human side of the history of the most successful research aircraft ever flown in the world. The X-15 rocket aircraft was 50 feet long, 22 feet across its wings, and stood 12 feet high. Twelve pilots flew 199 missions from June 1959 until October 1968. They reached Mach 6.70 (4,520 mph) and an altitude of 354,200 feet (67.1 miles) during the course of the program. Eight of the twelve pilots flew high enough to earn astronaut wings (although only five of them actually were awarded during the program). One pilot lost his life. This book is a long-term project to cover all aspects of the program through interviews with not only the pilots who flew it, but also the managers, flight planners, mechanics, engineers, families, and even a few rocket scientists. The research includes over 70 interviews, an archive of over 1,900 photographs (many privately-held and never before seen), and the most comprehensive and accurate flight log ever produced for the X-15. An early version of my flight log was published in the book, "X-15: The NASA Mission Reports." My purpose is to tell the story of one of the most famous rocket planes ever flown as it has never been told before. This will not be a rehash of previous works on the subject, but a personal journey to locate the interesting and exciting aspects previously left only with those who experienced it first hand. The book is in progress and on schedule for a hopeful release in approximately late 2010 if all goes according to plan. Program logo: The X-15 logo at the upper left was created by me in late 1984. I have always been a patch collector, and during my early interviews I asked if anyone knew of a patch designed for the X-15 program. No one was familiar with one, so I decided to create my own. I even went so far as to hand sew the very first patch! The design was later picked up by Thomas Aviation for mass production and sale. The patch went off the market when TA went out of business after the owners divorced. My design first appeared in a published work in February 1994, when my "X-15: Research at High Mach," appeared, and continues to be used by me in reference to anything concerning the X-15 program. It is not currently licensed for use outside of my work. If anyone wishes to do so, please feel free to contact me for further information. Logo description: The design is very specific for the X-15 program in that it signifies the high-speed shock waves of hypersonic flight, as well as a deep blue star field indicative of the altitude flights. The three stars in the field signify the agencies involved: NASA at the top, the U.S. Air Force (below left), and the U.S. Navy (below right). |
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X-15 Links
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X-15 CG images below courtesy of Thommy Eriksson, Center for Digital Media and Higher Education |
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