At the Edge of Space The X-15 Flight Program,9781588340788

At the Edge of Space The X-15 Flight Program

by ;
ISBN13: 9781588340788
ISBN10: 1588340783
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2003-02-17
Publisher(s): Smithsonian Books
List Price: $31.45

Buy New

Usually Ships in 5-7 Business Days
$29.95
Add to Cart

Rent Book

Select for Price
Add to Cart
There was a problem. Please try again later.

Rent Digital

Rent Digital Options
Online:1825 Days access
Downloadable:Lifetime Access
$18.99
*To support the delivery of the digital material to you, a digital delivery fee of $3.99 will be charged on each digital item.
$18.99*
Add to Cart

Used Book

We're Sorry
Sold Out

Buy from our Marketplace starting at $5.50

How Marketplace Works:

  • This item is offered by an independent seller and not shipped from our warehouse
  • Item details like edition and cover design may differ from our description; see seller's comments before ordering.
  • Sellers much confirm and ship within two business days; otherwise, the order will be cancelled and refunded.
  • Marketplace purchases cannot be returned to eCampus.com. Contact the seller directly for inquiries; if no response within two days, contact customer service.
  • Additional shipping costs apply to Marketplace purchases. Review shipping costs at checkout.

Summary

Thompson's adrenaline-fueled account of the X-15 program is the ultimate insider's view: he flew as one of the twelve test pilots. These men truly had the right stuff, essentially piloting a seat strapped to a rocket 300,000 feet into the air, right to the edge of space. It's all here, from late-night uncertainties in desert bars to the monumental technical challenges, to the record-breaking flights themselves. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Milton O. Thompson (1926-1993) was chief engineer at the NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility in Edwards, California.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction: The Men 1(26)
Flight 3-65-97 27(6)
PART 1 THE INGREDIENTS
The Machine
33(16)
The Operation
49(34)
PART 2 THE PROGRAM
Program Phases
83(8)
Demonstration Phase (1959--1962)
91(18)
In the Contrails of Giants (1962--1964)
109(64)
Trial by Fire and Water (1964--1968)
173(34)
Results and Unanticipated Problems
207(20)
PART 3 TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY
Toward Mach 7---The X-15A-2
227(20)
Sometimes the Bull Wins
247(18)
The End
265(14)
Author's Note 279(2)
Appendix 1 Flight Logs 281(78)
Appendix 2 Pilot Statistics 359(6)
Appendix 3 Aircraft Availability 365(2)
Appendix 4 Typical X-15 Flight Plan 367(4)
Index 371

An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.

This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.

By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.

Digital License

You are licensing a digital product for a set duration. Durations are set forth in the product description, with "Lifetime" typically meaning five (5) years of online access and permanent download to a supported device. All licenses are non-transferable.

More details can be found here.

A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.

Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.

Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.