X-15 Diary: The Story of America's First Space Ship

By Richard Tregaskis

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803294565
• ISBN13: 9780803294561
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Bison Books
• Length: 329 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

An excellent first-hand diary

This book was written in the 60's, before Apollo went to the Moon and back so it gives the reader a first-hand insight into the maturity of space technologies at that time. With hindsight it is easy to forget that those guys were pushing the envelope in every single subject and no one really knew how things would fall in place. The author experienced the ups and downs with the main players and gives us a insight report on what really happened. He manages to strike a good balance between technical details and the human as well as the "mundane" side of the X-15 program (e.g. when he is waiting for a ride on an Air Force plane to Edwards or when he describes details about the pilot's personalities). I think it gives an interesting perspective on one of the key milestones of aerospace engineering.