A Rocket Plane At The Edge of Space in 1959? The X-15 Story (The National Archives Treasures)

X-15: Touching the EDGE OF SPACE! The original NARA/NASA Films and an exclusive interview with the X-15 pilot Scott Crossfield. Could an aircraft truly reach the edge of space as early as 1959? This fascinating documentary footage, sourced directly from The National Archives, invites us into the world of one of the most audacious and revolutionary flight programs ever undertaken: the North American X-15. Prepare to witness history unfold as we explore the story of this incredible rocket-powered aircraft that pushed the very boundaries of flight, blurring the line between aviation and astronautics. In the late 1950s, the Cold War was heating up, and the Space Race was just beginning. NASA and the US Air Force needed an experimental vehicle unlike any other – one capable of flying higher and faster than anything before it. The goal? To gather crucial data on hypersonic flight (speeds exceeding Mach 5), understand the intense heat and aerodynamic forces encountered during atmospheric re-entry, test control systems effective in the near-vacuum of extreme altitudes, and study human physiological reactions to these punishing environments. The answer was the X-15. This wasn't your typical airplane. Built by North American Aviation, the X-15 was essentially a piloted missile, powered by potent rocket engines (eventually the mighty Thiokol XLR99, capable of generating over 57,000 pounds of thrust). It didn't take off from a runway; instead, it was carried aloft under the wing of a massive B-52 bomber and dropped at high altitude before igniting its engine for a breathtaking climb. Its structure utilized advanced materials like Inconel-X to withstand searing temperatures exceeding 1,200°F (650°C). Its stubby wings were designed for stability at mind-bending speeds, not gentle landings, and pilots used small reaction control thrusters, similar to those on spacecraft, to maneuver outside the dense atmosphere where conventional aerodynamic surfaces were useless. The X-15 program's mission profile was daring: climb steeply into the upper stratosphere and beyond, conduct research during a brief period of high-speed, high-altitude flight, and then glide back through the atmosphere for a challenging high-speed landing on a dry lakebed. So, did it reach the "edge of space"? While the internationally recognized Kármán line sits at 100 km, the USAF awarded astronaut wings to pilots exceeding 50 miles (approximately 80.5 km). Throughout its operational life (lasting into the late 1960s), the X-15 repeatedly flew above this 50-mile threshold, with some flights soaring well over 60 miles high (over 100 km on two occasions by Joe Walker, technically crossing the Kármán line). This documentary captures the program in its earlier phases around 1959, showcasing the ambition and the groundbreaking steps being taken towards these record-breaking altitudes even then. Piloting the X-15 required extraordinary skill and courage. Legendary test pilots like Scott Crossfield, Neil Armstrong (yes, that Neil Armstrong), Joe Walker, Robert White, and Pete Knight strapped themselves into this demanding machine, facing immense physical forces and the constant potential for danger. Their contributions were invaluable. The legacy of the X-15 is immense. The data collected directly influenced the design and operation of virtually every subsequent US crewed space program, from Mercury and Gemini to Apollo and the Space Shuttle. It pioneered research into hypersonic aerodynamics, thermal protection systems, and reaction controls vital for spaceflight. This archival treasure offers a rare, contemporary glimpse into this pivotal program that truly took flight to the final frontier. Explore this remarkable piece of aerospace history, preserved by The National Archives. Watch the vision, the engineering, and the sheer audacity that propelled the X-15 toward the edge of space. To support/join the channel ➤ https://www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes/join ➤ More aircraft and history videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes ➤ Join the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes/join ➤ THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@dronescapesvideos ➤ FB: https://www.facebook.com/Dronescapesvideos ➤ Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Atellani/ ➤ IG: https://www.instagram.com/dronescapesvideos ➤ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dronescapes.bsky.social ➤ Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/dronescapesvideos ➤ X/Twitter: https://dronescapes.video/2p89vedj #a10 #aviation #coldwar