D22 – X-15

Bill Dana, NASA research pilot, stands with the hypersonic X-15.

Dana began as an engineer on the North American X-15 program. He progressed to chase pilot, and finally as project pilot on the hypersonic research aircraft. He flew the rocket-powered vehicle 16 times, reaching a top speed of 3,897 mph. His peak altitude of 307,000 feet (nearly 59 miles high) technically qualified him for the Astronaut Badge, although he was not formally recognized as an astronaut until 2005. He was the pilot on the final (199th) flight of the 10-year program.

Related Portfolio

  • D09 – Lockheed ER-2

    ER-2 tail number 709, is an Airborne Science ER-2s used as science platforms.

  • D07 – SOFIA – The Flying Infrared Observatory

    The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA rests in NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center hangars in Palmdale, California.

  • D12 – F15

    NASA utilized a fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles.

  • D06 – The Proteus

    The Proteus is a unique aircraft designed as a high-altitude, long-duration telecommunications relay platform, with potential for use on atmospheric sampling and Earth monitoring science missions as well.