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- The flights of the North American X-15, an experimental American spaceplane built by North American Aviation and operated by the United States Air Force and NASA, were conducted from 1959-1968. Twelve pilots flew three X-15 spaceplanes, flying record high-altitude flights, high-speed flights, and sub-orbital spaceflights. Collectively, pilots and craft performed a total of 199 free flights after being carried aloft and then air launched from one of two modified B-52 mother ships. The pilots and craft also performed twelve scheduled captive carry test flights and 125 aborted flights (frequently due either to technical problems or poor weather) in which the X-15 did not uncouple from its B-52 mother ship, for a grand total of 336 flights. The X-15 program's flights generated data and flight experience which supported future development of aircraft, spacecraft, and human spaceflight. Five principal aircraft were used during the X-15 program: three X-15 spaceplanes and two modified "nonstandard" NB-52 bomber carriers:
* X-15-1 – 56-6670,
* X-15-2 (later modified to become the X-15A-2) – 56-6671,
* X-15-3 – 56-6672,
* NB-52A – 52-003 nicknamed The High and Mighty One,
* NB-52B – 52-008 nicknamed The Challenger, later Balls 8. Additionally, F-100, F-104 and F5D chase aircraft and C-130 and C-47 transports supported the program. (en)
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| rdfs:comment
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- The flights of the North American X-15, an experimental American spaceplane built by North American Aviation and operated by the United States Air Force and NASA, were conducted from 1959-1968. Twelve pilots flew three X-15 spaceplanes, flying record high-altitude flights, high-speed flights, and sub-orbital spaceflights. Collectively, pilots and craft performed a total of 199 free flights after being carried aloft and then air launched from one of two modified B-52 mother ships. The pilots and craft also performed twelve scheduled captive carry test flights and 125 aborted flights (frequently due either to technical problems or poor weather) in which the X-15 did not uncouple from its B-52 mother ship, for a grand total of 336 flights. The X-15 program's flights generated data and flight (en)
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