The X-15 Rocket Plane: Flying the First Wings into Space (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of S) (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight)

With the Soviet Union’s launch of the first Sputnik satellite in 1957, the Cold War soared to new heights as Americans feared losing the race into space. The X-15 Rocket Plane tells the enthralling yet little-known story of the hypersonic X-15, the winged rocket ship that met this challenge and opened the way into human-controlled spaceflight. Drawing on interviews with those who were there, Michelle Evans captures the drama and excitement of, yes, rocket science: how to handle the heat generated at speeds up to Mach 7, how to make a rocket propulsion system that could throttle, and how to safely reenter the atmosphere from space and make a precision landing. This book puts a human face on the feats of science and engineering that went into the X-15 program, many of them critical to the development of the Space Shuttle. And, finally, it introduces us to the largely unsung pilots of the X-15. By the time of the Apollo 11 moon landing, thirty-one American astronauts had flown into space—eight of them astronaut-pilots of the X-15. The X-15 Rocket Plane restores these pioneers, and the others who made it happen, to their rightful place in the history of spaceflight. Browse more spaceflight books at upinspace.org. With The Soviet Union's Launch Of The First Sputnik Satellite In 1957, The Cold War Soared To New Heights As Americans Feared Losing The Race Into Space. The X-15 Rocket Plane Tells The Enthralling Yet Little-known Story Of The Hypersonic X-15, The Winged Rocket Ship That Met This Challenge And Opened The Way Into Human-controlled Spaceflight. Drawing On Interviews With Those Who Were There, Michelle Evans Captures The Drama And Excitement Of, Yes, Rocket Science: How To Handle The Heat Generated At Speeds Up To Mach 7, How To Make A Rocket Propulsion System That Could Throttle, And How To Safely Reenter The Atmosphere From Space And Make A Precision Landing. This Book Puts A Human Face On The Feats Of Science And Engineering That Went Into The X-15 Program, Many Of Them Critical To The Development Of The Space Shuttle. And, Finally, It Introduces Us To The Largely Unsung Pilots Of The X-15. By The Time Of The Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Thirty-one American Astronauts Had Flown Into Space--eight Of Them Astronaut-pilots Of The X-15. The X-15 Rocket Plane Restores These Pioneers, And The Others Who Made It Happen, To Their Rightful Place In The History Of Spaceflight. The Whole Nine Yards -- A Record High -- Gaining Speed -- Naval Engagement -- Changing Course -- Straight And Steady -- Skipping Out -- On A Roll -- Inconel Meets Celluloid -- Fastest Man Alive -- Chasing Experiments -- In The Line Of Duty -- Snow At Edwards. Michelle Evans ; Foreword By Joe H. Engle. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 431-434) And Index. Contents 9 List of Illustrations 11 Foreword 13 Acknowledgments 17 Introduction 21 1. The Whole Nine Yards 29 2. A Record High 65 3. Gaining Speed 96 4. Naval Engagement 128 5. Changing Course 157 6. Straight and Steady 194 7. Skipping Out 227 8. On a Roll 257 9. Inconel Meets Celluloid 292 10. Fastest Man Alive 325 11. Chasing Experiments 358 12. In the Line of Duty 390 13. Snow at Edwards 430 Afterword 446 Glossary 455 Sources 459 Index 463 The story of the X-15, the pioneering research flight program in the fifties and sixties, and its pilots.