Flashback Friday: The World’s First Spaceplane
On this day in 1963, American Joe Walker piloted the record shattering X-15 rocket powered aircraft to an altitude of 66 miles above the surface of the earth, a record held until 2004 and the second of two flights conducted by the aircraft that exceeded the international definition of spaceflight. Over the course of its lifetime, the X-15 research plane conducted 199 test flights and achieved the speed record for manned, powered aircraft that is still held today – 4,520 miles per hour.
The challenges faced by the X-15 program were astonishing, but equally important are the challenges facing today’s aircraft manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, development partners and retailers every day in keeping up with the rapidly changing requirements from airlines, passengers and substantially shorter aircraft model cycles. NTT DATA Business Solutions is doing its part by providing an industry proven, integrated solution based on SAP ERP, designed to offer total control from planning to production and everything in between. it.aerospace is one example of our pre-configured solutions helping mid-market companies, whether they are just trying to get their wheels off the ground or have already hit cruising speed!