← ALL LAUNCHES
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

X-15 | Flight 138

SUCCESSJun 29, 1965 at 18:21 UTCNorth American X-15 →
PADEdwards Air Force Base
SITEAir launch to Suborbital flight →
ORBITSuborbital
TYPETest Flight
PROGRAMX-15

Flight 138 of the North American X-15 was a test flight conducted by NASA and the US Air Force in 1965. Piloted by Joe H. Engle it reached an altitude of 85.5 km.

MISSION
Flight 138
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Suborbital
PROGRAM
X-15
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: b92b4c7f-39fb-448a-a24a-5c370b95fe80
Reported date: Jun 29, 1965 at 18:21 UTC
Last synced: 9 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
Loading weather…
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
56-6672SERIAL
11FLIGHTS
SuborbitalDESTINATION
DestroyedSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Third X-15 experimental rocket plane. Destroyed during flight 191.

CREW MANIFEST
Joe EnglePilot
MANUFACTURER
North American Aviation
FLIGHTS
13
SUCCESSES
12
SUCCESS RATE
92.3%

The North American X-15 was a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of the X-plane series of experimental aircraft.

When is the X-15 | Flight 138 launch?
The X-15 | Flight 138 is scheduled for Tuesday, June 29, 1965 at 6:21 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Flight 138?
The X-15 | Flight 138 mission uses the North American X-15 rocket, manufactured by North American Aviation. The North American X-15 has flown 13 times with a 92.3% success rate.
Where is the X-15 | Flight 138 launching from?
The launch takes place from Edwards Air Force Base at Air launch to Suborbital flight.
What orbit is Flight 138 going to?
The Flight 138 mission is targeting Suborbital.
Who is launching Flight 138?
The X-15 | Flight 138 is operated by United States Air Force. It is part of the X-15 program.
Can I watch the X-15 | Flight 138 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 28, 2026 20:13 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:13 UTC
Launch date set: Jun 29, 1965 at 18:21 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:13 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Jun 27, 2025 17:49 UTC
Astronaut Joe Engle Flies X-15
Former NASA astronaut Joe Engle poses in front of an X-15 plane in this Dec. 2, 1965, photo. On June 29, 1965, Engle flew the…
NASA
Jan 9, 2025 16:00 UTC
Helicopter Removes Artifact from NASA Armstrong Rooftop
What do the X-15 and the space shuttles have in common? Information from the rocket plane and the spacecraft, as well as many experimental aircraft,…
NASA
Sep 17, 2024 13:00 UTC
65 Years Ago: First Powered Flight of the X-15 Hypersonic Rocket Plane
The X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft, built by North American Aviation (NAA), greatly expanded our knowledge of flight at speeds exceeding Mach 6 and altitudes above…
NASA
Jul 11, 2024 21:33 UTC
NASA Remembers Retired Astronaut, US Air Force Pilot Joe Engle
Retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe Engle died July 10, surrounded by his family at home in Houston. Among his many…
NASA
Last data sync: 9 hours ago
Launch Library 29 hours ago
Launch ID: b92b4c7f-39fb-448a-a24a-5c370b95fe80
Spaceflight News API9 hours ago
4 articles matched
Open-Meteo Weather9 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.91, -117.88