On this day in space! Aug. 22, 1963: X-15 sets world altitude record

On August 22, 1963, United States Air Force Captain Joseph “Joe” Walker achieved a monumental feat during flight testing of the North American X-15 rocket plane. During his mission from Edwards Air Force Base in California, Walker reached an unprecedented altitude of 354,870 feet or 67 miles above sea level. This record surpassed all previous attempts and established a new benchmark for atmospheric flight. The X-15’s flight was conducted as part of Project Explorer, a research program focused on high-speed aerodynamics and hypersonic flight conditions. This historic event remains a significant milestone in aviation and space exploration history.