UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
X-15 | Flight 87
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Jun 27, 1963 at 17:56 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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PADEdwards Air Force Base
SITEAir launch to Suborbital flight →ORBITSuborbital
TYPETest Flight
PROGRAMX-15
MISSION OVERVIEW
Flight 87 of the North American X-15 was a test flight conducted by NASA and the US Air Force in 1963. Piloted by Robert A. Rushworth it reached an altitude of 86.7 km.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
North American X-15AGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
Flight 87
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Suborbital
LAUNCH PAD
Edwards Air Force BaseLAUNCH SITE
Air launch to Suborbital flightPROGRAM
X-15
COUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 0efddf71-a90a-41ff-ac0a-784398a41708
Reported date: Jun 27, 1963 at 17:56 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
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NORTH AMERICAN X-15 — X-15-3
56-6672SERIAL
11FLIGHTS
SuborbitalDESTINATION
DestroyedSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE
Third X-15 experimental rocket plane. Destroyed during flight 191.
CREW MANIFEST
Robert A. RushworthPilot
VEHICLE — North American X-15 →
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the X-15 | Flight 87 launch?
The X-15 | Flight 87 is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 1963 at 5:56 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 87?
The X-15 | Flight 87 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 87 launching from?
The launch takes place from Edwards Air Force Base at Air launch to Suborbital flight.
What orbit is Flight 87 going to?
The Flight 87 mission is targeting Suborbital.
Who is launching Flight 87?
The X-15 | Flight 87 is operated by United States Air Force. It is part of the X-15 program.
Can I watch the X-15 | Flight 87 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.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Jun 27, 1963 at 17:56 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
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LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
●Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: 0efddf71-a90a-41ff-ac0a-784398a41708
●Spaceflight News API34 seconds ago
4 articles matched
●Open-Meteo Weather3 days ago
Pad weather at 34.91, -117.88
Mission Profile
Flight 87 was a North American X-15 mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Edwards Air Force Base, Air launch to Suborbital flight on June 27, 1963. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Suborbital. It was flown as part of the X-15 program. The launch was a success.