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Type: Air Drop Zone. Latitude: 36.06328 deg. Longitude: -116.02145 deg.

Air-launched rocket drop zone known to have been used for 50 launches from 1961 to 1968, reaching up to 54 kilometers altitude.


Launch Pads
  • RW14/32 - Latitude: 36.0633 deg. Longitude: -116.0215 deg.

General / Launch Complex Unknown Chronology

1961 March 30 - 18:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-14-28 X-15A Alt., BCS, Aero test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 51 km (31 mi). Maximum Speed - 4441 kph. Maximum Altitude - 51700 m.

1961 April 21 - 18:05 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-15-29 FAILURE: Three hardware problems during flight. X-15A Mach 4, Aero test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 32 km (19 mi). Maximum Speed - 4946 kph. Maximum Altitude - 32000 m.

1961 September 28 - 17:50 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-19-35 X-15A Mach 5, Heat Trans. test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 31 km (19 mi). Maximum Speed - 5792 kph. Maximum Altitude - 31030 m. Test reentry heat limit. Smoke in cockpit due to scorching paint.

1962 April 5 - 18:04 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-3-7 X-15A MH-96 test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 54 km (33 mi). Maximum Speed - 4586 kph. Maximum Altitude - 54860 m. The X-15 was flown in a test of a new automatic control system to be used in the Dyna-Soar and Apollo spacecraft. The previous electronic control system had been automatic only while the X-15 was in the atmosphere; the new system was automatic in space as well.

1962 May 8 - 18:01 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-22-40 X-15A Heat T/ASAS/High al. test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 21 km (13 mi). Maximum Speed - 5670 kph. Maximum Altitude - 21460 m. First flight to exceed 2000 psf (136 bar) dynamic pressure.

1962 May 22 - 18:04 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-28-49 X-15A Local flow test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Maximum Speed - 5551 kph. Maximum Altitude - 30600 m. Roller coaster flight with three peaks for local airflow investigation.

1962 June 7 - 18:29 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-29-50 X-15A Local flow, M=5 test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 31 km (19 mi). Maximum Speed - 5908 kph. Maximum Altitude - 31580 m.

1962 June 29 - 18:41 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-24-44 X-15A Heating rates, notch test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 5278 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25360 m.

1962 July 19 - 17:53 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-25-45 X-15A Heating rates, drag test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 26 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 5590 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25680 m.

1962 August 8 - 18:08 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-26-46 X-15A Heating, aero drag test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 4735 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27700 m.

1962 August 20 - 18:08 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-27-47 X-15A Heating, drag, ASAS test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 5686 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27000 m.

1962 August 29 - 18:36 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-28-48 X-15A Heating test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi). Maximum Speed - 5546 kph. Maximum Altitude - 29630 m.

1962 September 28 - 18:04 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-29-50 X-15A Heating, VO Stab test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). This and most following flights without lower ventral. Maximum Speed - 4450 kph. Maximum Altitude - 20790 m.

1963 April 11 - 18:03 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-33-54 X-15A KC-1/APU Test/Imaging mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi). Maximum Speed - 4608 kph. Maximum Altitude - 22680 m. First flight in scientific and advanced research series - carried aerial mapping camera.

1963 April 18 - 20:16 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-15-25 FAILURE: Nose gear scoop door opens at Mach 3.4. X-15A HT,Local flow,IR Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 28 km (17 mi). Nose landing gear failed. Maximum Speed - 6066 kph. Maximum Altitude - 28190 m.

1963 May 14 - 20:11 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-17-28 X-15A Heating,UVP,IR Test/Ultraviolet Astronomy/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi). Maximum Speed - 5792 kph. Maximum Altitude - 29140 m.

1963 October 7 - 20:22 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-39-63 X-15A Checkout/Opt Deg. Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 4560 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23710 m.

1963 October 29 - 20:42 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-40-64 X-15A Checkout/Opt Deg. Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi). Maximum Speed - 4364 kph. Maximum Altitude - 22600 m.

1963 November 7 - 18:11 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-23-39 X-15A Sharp Upper Vert. test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 4706 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25080 m. First flight with sharp-edged vertical stabilizer.

1963 November 14 - 19:19 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-41-65 X-15A CO/Opt Deg/Systems Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 5287 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27680 m.

1963 November 27 - 20:17 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-24-41 X-15A Checkout mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 5326 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27371 m.

1964 January 16 - 18:03 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-25-42 X-15A Sharp Upper Vert test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 21 km (13 mi). Maximum Speed - 5216 kph. Maximum Altitude - 21641 m.

1964 February 19 - 17:57 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-26-43 X-15A SUV,Boundary Layer test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5662 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23957 m.

1964 March 13 - 17:46 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-27-44 X-15A SUV,Boundary Layer test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5458 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23165 m.

1964 May 12 - 17:51 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-28-47 FAILURE: Problems with inertial platform and SAS. X-15A SUV/BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 22 km (13 mi). Maximum Speed - 4962 kph. Maximum Altitude - 22189 m.

1964 June 25 - 17:34 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-32-55 X-15A-2 Stability test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 4994 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25390 m. First flight of X-15 No. 2 in X-15A-2 configuration, but without drop tanks.

1964 July 29 - 19:55 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-31-52 X-15A Heat tran/Local Flow test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5250 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23774 m. First test of various heat-resistant panels attached to fuselage.

1964 August 12 - 18:12 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-32-53 X-15A Heat tran/LF/BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5688 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24750 m.

1964 August 26 - 18:42 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-33-54 X-15A HT/LF/BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 6216 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27737 m.

1964 September 3 - 17:54 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-34-55 X-15A HT/BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5817 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23957 m.

1964 October 15 - 21:15 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-50-79 X-15A IFDS/Tip Pod/AD-SB Test/Aeronomy mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 4904 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25878 m. First flight with X-20 INS and wing tip pods.

1964 October 30 - 17:51 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-36-59 X-15A Gear mod, BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 5009 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25786 m.

1964 November 30 - 20:09 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-35-60 X-15A-2 Gear mod, Stab,ST test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 26 km (16 mi). Maximum Speed - 4970 kph. Maximum Altitude - 26579 m.

1964 December 9 - 18:36 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-37-60 X-15A 3D Flow Field,MA-45R Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 28 km (17 mi). Maximum Speed - 5990 kph. Maximum Altitude - 28164 m.

1964 December 22 - 18:44 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-38-61 X-15A Friction,GE TPS.,3D Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5781 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24750 m.

1965 January 13 - 18:51 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-39-62 FAILURE: Control system problems. X-15A 3D,HT,Fric,BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Maximum Speed - 5973 kph. Maximum Altitude - 30297 m. Immediately after burnout aircraft gyrated around all 3 axes for 7 seconds.

1965 April 23 - 17:44 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-41-64 X-15A HT/Abl TPS/BLN Test/Technology mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 5760 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24293 m.

1965 April 28 - 20:26 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-37-64 X-15A-2 Landing loads,Stab test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 28 km (17 mi). Maximum Speed - 5266 kph. Maximum Altitude - 28224 m. First star tracker checkout.

1965 September 30 - 17:43 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-60-99 X-15A Infrared Scanner test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 4373 kph. Maximum Altitude - 23350 m.

1965 October 12 - 17:43 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-50-74 FAILURE: APU shutdown. X-15A Checkout mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 28 km (17 mi). Maximum Speed - 5001 kph. Maximum Altitude - 28770 m.

1965 November 4 - 17:11 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-62-103 FAILURE: Two engine relights required. X-15A Checkout mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 24 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 4450 kph. Maximum Altitude - 24440 m.

1966 July 18 - 19:38 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-52-78 X-15A Checkout, Systems test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi). Maximum Speed - 5176 kph. Maximum Altitude - 29290 m. First flight with X-20 energy management system.

1966 October 6 - 20:16 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-69-116 FAILURE: Emergency landing at Cuddleback Dry Lake. X-15A Checkout mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 23 km (14 mi). Maximum Speed - 4666 kph. Maximum Altitude - 22980 m. Engine shut down at 90 seconds.

1966 November 29 - 19:38 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-57-86 X-15A Checkout mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 28 km (17 mi). Maximum Speed - 5020 kph. Maximum Altitude - 28040 m.

1967 May 8 - 19:27 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-51-92 FAILURE: Eyelid installed on one window; other window fogs up. X-15A-2 Ramjet flow test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 29 km (18 mi). Maximum Speed - 5138 kph. Maximum Altitude - 29750 m. Check out of stability and control with ramjet pod.

1967 June 22 - 21:57 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-60-90 FAILURE: Severe tail oscillations. X-15A HT/Telem test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 5810 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25050 m.

1967 July 20 - 17:11 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-61-91 X-15A HT/Guid/Telem test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 5942 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25720 m.

1967 August 21 - 17:59 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 2-52-96 X-15A-2 Ramjet/Hycon/TPS Test/Imaging mission? Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi). First test with full ablative coating, ramjet pod. Maximum Speed - 5419 kph. Maximum Altitude - 27740 m.

1967 August 25 - 20:27 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 3-62-92 X-15A Guid/HT/BLN test Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 25 km (15 mi). Maximum Speed - 5012 kph. Maximum Altitude - 25720 m.

1968 March 1 - 19:28 GMT - Launch Vehicle: X-15. X-15 1-74-130 X-15A Checkout mission Agency: NASA/USAF. Apogee: 31 km (19 mi). Maximum Speed - 4631 kph. Maximum Altitude - 31850 m. Tested Saturn V insulation.


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