Built of titanium and a chrome-nickel alloy known as Inconel X, the X-15 was the fastest plane ever built, streaking through the lower reaches of outer space even before the first space capsules reached orbit. First tested in 1959, the X-15 proved to be a crucial testing ground for the astronauts and hardware in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and even the Space Shuttle programs.

 

The dramatic tale of the golden age of this experimental plane comes vividly to life through the writing of the celebrated reporter Richard Tregaskis, who spent time with the pilots, engineers, and other key personnel involved in the project. We learn of the years of planning and design, devastating onboard explosions, exhilarating triumphs, and, above all, the personal and professional sacrifices that paved the way for the enduring legacy of the blisteringly fast X-15 rocket plane.

Richard Tregaskis (1916–73) was a noted correspondent and writer who reported on several wars, including the Second World War and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His books include Guadalcanal Diary and Invasion Diary which is available in a Bison Books edition. Scott Crossfield is a legendary test pilot who flew the first X-15 flights and was the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. Crossfield was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and National Aviation Hall of Fame and is the author of Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot.