1960-11-30 USA First X-15 Flight by Neil Armstrong

A X-15 launch cover from “Goldcraft,” postmarked at Edwards Air Force Base with a machine cancel on November 30, 1960, commemorating the first X-15 flight of NASA research pilot Neil A. Armstrong.

On November 30, 1960, NASA research pilot Neil A. Armstrong made his first flight in the North American X-15, flying X-15 No. 1 (56-6670). It was his first of seven X-15 flights between 1960 and 1962. Armstrong's first flight was essentially a pilot-familiarization and research flight. He reached approximately 48,840 feet (14.9 km) and Mach 1.75, or about 1,150 mph.

The X-15 was an experimental, rocket-powered research aircraft designed to investigate high-speed and high-altitude flight, providing engineers and pilots with data that would later prove valuable to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. It was air-launched from a modified B-52 at roughly 45,000 feet and then powered by its rocket engine before gliding back to Edwards for landing.