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The world’s fastest aircraft, the legendary X-15, reached an incredible 4.520 mph (7.273 km/h), more than five times the speed of sound! This hypersonic machine could have made the trip from London to New York in just 45 minutes, but instead it flew into space, pushing the boundaries of aviation. Learn the story of the experimental jet that paved the way for space exploration and still holds unbeatable records!
You board a plane in London, barely have time to have a coffee, and before you know it, you're landing in New York. Can you imagine? But the X-15, a real rocket with wings, could have done exactly that – and without breaking a sweat!
Created by NASA and the US Air Force, this experimental plane was no joke. Not only was it the fastest plane ever created, it also flew higher than any other manned aircraft. For nearly a decade, the X-15 broke absurd records, making even modern supersonic planes look like flying scooters.
What made the X-15 so insane?
Well, first of all, it wasn’t just any plane. The X-15 was actually a rocket disguised as a jet. With a liquid-fueled engine, it was launched from a B-52 bomber, and when its engine spooled up, it was as if someone had turned the turbo mode on full blast. The result? It could reach speeds of over 7.200 mph, enough to cross the Atlantic in less than an hour.
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If it were placed next to the Concorde (which was already a supersonic monster), the X-15 would make it look like its rival was flying backwards. But wait, it wasn't designed to carry passengers. It was a flying laboratory, designed to test the limits of aviation and pave the way for future space missions.
From the sky to space and back in minutes
On each mission, the X-15 was launched from a B-52 in mid-flight, ignited its engines and soared to incredible altitudes. To give you an idea, it reached 345.200 feet (105 km), surpassing the Kármán line, which marks the beginning of space. In other words, not only did it fly faster, it also went much further than our atmosphere.
E you know what's most impressive? After reaching this surreal altitude, it would simply fall back to Earth, gliding like a guided brick, before landing at Edwards AFB in California. Each flight lasted less than 10 minutes, but the information it gathered helped shape all of modern space exploration.
The Pilots Who Risked It All and the Dangers of Hypersonic Flight
Flying the X-15 wasn't for everyone. The guys who took the controls were true heroes – and among them was none other than Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon. Yes, before he walked on the lunar surface, Armstrong had already I was taming this beast hypersonic.
According to Express, like everything involving extreme speed, the X-15 also took its toll. In 1967, pilot Michael Adams lost his life during a test flight, after a technical problem caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrollable spin. He was the only fatal victim of the program, but the risk was always very high.
Another remarkable case was that of Jack McKay, who survived a brutal crash landing in Nevada. The plane flipped over and he suffered serious injuries, but he still managed to fly again. Unfortunately, years later, the consequences of the accident forced him to retire.
If the X-15 was so fast, why don't we have planes like that today?
Good question! If this monster in the sky was already doing this in the 1960s, why do we still need eight hours to cross the Atlantic?
The big problem is feasibility. The X-15 was an experimental aircraft, designed to test the limits of physics, not to carry passengers. Plus, it relied on a rocket engine, which meant it was guzzling fuel like there was no tomorrow.
Another point is that flying at over 7.000 km/h generates extreme heat, making the construction of a commercial hypersonic aircraft extremely challenging. But believe me: the search for ultra-fast flights is far from over. Companies like Boom Supersonic and NASA itself are developing new technologies to make hypersonic aircraft a reality.
Apoté poté. Apoté poté. Apoté poté Ah! Ahem ahem.
One day we will get there🤪👌🏾
I'm going to Mars, I'll be right back. Wait for me for dinner.