This exciting story recounts development of the iconic rocket plane of the Cold War space race. This experimental space plane was on the cutting edge of hypersonic aerodynamics, and its winged reentry from space foreshadowed the development of the Space Shuttle decades later. Launched from the wing of a modified B-52 bomber–again foretelling a concept that would be used decades later, in this case by Space Ship One and Space Ship Two–the ship rocketed higher and faster than any manned aircraft of the time. Designed to approach seven times the speed of sound, it was the first hypersonic aircraft ever created and was engineered to function both in the Earth’s atmosphere and at the edge of space.

Illustrated with period NASA and USAF photographs, as well as exclusive Smithsonian photography of the first of three X-15s built, the book captures the risks and dangers of the X-15 program as the writers follow the test pilots (including Neil Armstrong) who pushed the very limits of their piloting skills to master groundbreaking experimental technology. Even with the fatal crash of the third X-15, the overall success of the program helped pave the way for NASA to continue to the Moon–and this is the definitive, expertly curated, and beautifully illustrated account of its development.

Passman is a 1944 and 1945 Michigan graduate with degrees in mathematics and aerospace engineering. He is 88 years old and splits his time between Florida and Maryland. Co-author Anderson is curator of aerodynamics at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.