Space History Photo: North American X-15 Model

By NASA Archives
published

space history, NACA, wind tunnels
A scale model of the X-15 is observed in drop tests from a B-52 inside a wind tunnel. (Image credit: NACA.)

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, a one-twentieth scale model of the X-15, originally suspended beneath the wing of a B-52, is observed by a scientist as it leaves the bomber model in tests to determine the release characteristics and drop motion of the research airplane.

The test was conducted in the Langley High Speed 7 x 10 Foot Tunnel, around 1957.

The National Advisory Committe on Aeronautics (NACA) was a precursor to NASA. NACA was created by Congress in 1915.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).

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NASA Archives
NASA Archives
U.S. Space Agency

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