The X-15 Rocket Plane cover art

The X-15 Rocket Plane

Flying the First Wings into Space

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The X-15 Rocket Plane

By: Michelle L. Evans
Narrated by: Gary L. Willprecht
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About this listen

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, 31 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.

©2013 Michelle Evans (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering Physics United States Transportation Aviation Air Force US Air Force Space Station

Critic Reviews

"The X-15 Rocket Plane is an engaging account of America's push into space before pilots became astronauts, and America began a new era of exploration beyond the Earth to the Moon." (Space Review)
“In this gripping book, Michelle Evans brings to life the X-15 and the aerospace pioneers who made it a success. For those already aware of the program, this will bring back fond memories and renew an appreciation for the remarkable people who conceived, operated, and supported this incredible craft. For those who aren't, prepare for an incredible journey of discovery.” (Richard P. Hallion, former historian of the USAF)

What listeners say about The X-15 Rocket Plane

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Deep Appreciation

you really get an appreciation of the pioneering work done by this program. it also makes you wonder what could have been if subsequent programs were funded

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Epic!!

Just epic! A true tale of humanity pushing the limits of what is possible and finding we have potential!

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