NASA Chief Test Pilot Joe Walker's Flight in X-15

This video is a typical X-15 mission flown by Joseph A. Walker from taxi and liftoff under the wing of B-52 008, through launching over Nevada and landing on Rogers Lake at Dryden/Edwards, California. NASA High Range tracking stations at Beatty and Ely, Nevada provided track, telemetry, and communications for the flights. Walker holds the fastest speed (basic aircraft) of 4,104 mph (Mach 6.06) on flight 1-30-51 and highest altitude record of 354,200 ft (67 miles) on flight 3-22-36.

In 1960, Joseph "Joe" Walker was selected as the first NASA pilot to fly the X-15 , and the second X-15 pilot, following the manufacturer's test pilot Scott Crossfield. Walker was the first American civilian to make any spaceflight, and flew the X-15 24 times. He was awarded astronaut wings from this flight.

Walker was killed in a midair accident with the XB-70 near Barstow, CA.