Speed Demons
This aircraft holds the record as the fastest crewed, powered airplane.
What is the North American X-15?
Instead of a jet engine, the X-15 used this type of propulsion system.
What is a rocket engine?
The X-15 program focused on studying flight at speeds above this Mach number.
What is Mach 5?
This famous astronaut and first man on the Moon also flew the X-15.
Who is Neil Armstrong?
The X-15 program ended in this decade.
What is the 1960s?
The X-15 reached this Mach number during its fastest flight.
What is Mach 6.7?
This special metal alloy was used to protect the X-15 from extreme heat.
What is Inconel X?
This U.S. agency helped operate and research the X-15 program.
What is NASA?
Pilots experienced these intense forces pushing them into their seats during acceleration.
What are G-forces?
Data from the X-15 helped develop this reusable NASA spacecraft.
What is the Space Shuttle?
Mach 1 refers to this physical limit.
What is the speed of sound?
The X-15 was launched from this type of aircraft before igniting its engine.
What is a B-52 bomber?
Each X-15 flight typically lasted about this many minutes.
What is 10 to 15 minutes?
At extreme altitude, pilots could see this feature of Earth
What is the curvature of the Earth?
The X-15 improved understanding of this scientific field dealing with motion through air.
What is aerodynamics?
This pilot set the X-15’s speed record in 1967.
Who is William J. Knight?
At high altitudes, the X-15 used these small rocket systems to control direction.
What are reaction control thrusters?
The X-15 helped scientists study this process of returning to Earth’s atmosphere.
What is reentry?
This X-15 pilot tragically died during a 1967 flight
Who is Michael J. Adams?
Modern research inspired by the X-15 focuses on this type of ultra-fast flight.
What is hypersonic flight?
The X-15 flew more than this number of times faster than the speed of sound
What is six times?
At top speed, the X-15’s surface temperature could exceed this many degrees Fahrenheit.
What is about 1,200 degrees?
The X-15 served as a bridge between airplanes and this type of vehicle.
What are spacecraft?
Pilots who flew above 50 miles could earn this title.
What are astronauts?
The X-15 is remembered as a symbol of human ambition and this pursuit.
What is innovation?