Tag: x-15

July 19, 1963: Experimental “Spaceplane” Crosses Karman Line

Today in 1963, pilot Joseph A. Walker flew the North American X-15, an experimental airplane designed to reach space, past the Karman Line. This technically made him the seventh American (and first American civilian) to reach space. He achieved an altitude of 66 mi/106 km. A little over a month later he flew again, breaking the record by reaching 67 mi/108 km.   Image Credit: NASA

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