X-15 Diary: The Story of America's First Space Ship [Paperback]

Richard Tregaskis (Author), A. Scott Crossfield (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Built of titanium and a chrome-nickel alloy known as Inconel X, the X-15 was the fastest plane ever built, streaking through the lower reaches of outer space even before the first space capsules reached orbit. First tested in 1959, the X-15 proved to be a crucial testing ground for the astronauts and hardware in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and even the Space Shuttle programs.

 

The dramatic tale of the golden age of this experimental plane comes vividly to life through the writing of the celebrated reporter Richard Tregaskis, who spent time with the pilots, engineers, and other key personnel involved in the project. We learn of the years of planning and design, devastating onboard explosions, exhilarating triumphs, and, above all, the personal and professional sacrifices that paved the way for the enduring legacy of the blisteringly fast X-15 rocket plane.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Built of titanium and a chrome-nickel alloy known as Inconel X, the X-15 was the fastest plane ever built, streaking through the lower reaches of outer space even before the first space capsules reached orbit. First tested in 1959, the X-15 proved to be a crucial testing ground for the astronauts and hardware in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and even the Space Shuttle programs.

The dramatic tale of the golden age of this experimental plane comes vividly to life through the writing of the celebrated reporter Richard Tregaskis, who spent time with the pilots, engineers, and other key personnel involved in the project. We learn of the years of planning and design, devastating onboard explosions, exhilarating triumphs, and, above all, the personal and professional sacrifices that paved the way for the enduring legacy of the blisteringly fast X-15 rocket plane.

Richard Tregaskis (1916–73) was a noted correspondent and writer who reported on several wars, including the Second World War and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His books include Guadalcanal Diary and Invasion Diary which is available in a Bison Books edition. Scott Crossfield is a legendary test pilot who flew the first X-15 flights and was the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. Crossfield was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and National Aviation Hall of Fame and is the author of Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot.

About the Author

Richard Tregaskis (1916–73) was a noted correspondent and writer who reported on several wars, including the Second World War and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His books include Guadalcanal Diary and Invasion Diary which is available in a Bison Books edition. Scott Crossfield is a legendary test pilot who flew the first X-15 flights and was the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. Crossfield was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and National Aviation Hall of Fame and is the author of Always Another Dawn: The Story of a Rocket Test Pilot.

Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books; First Edition edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803294565
• ISBN-13: 978-0803294561
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Tregaskis was a writer and reporter. He received the Overseas Press Club's George Polk Award in 1964 for first-person reporting under hazardous circumstances. He died in 1973.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars X-15 Diary not bad, but not complete, September 16, 2004

By 

Andy Wilson "Andy Wilson" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X-15 Diary: The Story of America's First Space Ship (Paperback)

A correction to a previous review: this appears to be a simple reprint of the 1961 title, and does not cover flights after 1961. The last flight described is Bob White's to 130,000+ ft. None of the truly astounding flights with the XLR-99 engine are covered. I guess you have to go to Milton Thompson's book for that.

Still a good read though. It's interesting to compare the X-15 to SpaceShipOne.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent first-hand diary, September 1, 2009

By 

Luiz De Oliveira "Luizparis" (Paris, Ille de France France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: X-15 Diary: The Story of America's First Space Ship (Paperback)

This book was written in the 60's, before Apollo went to the Moon and back so it gives the reader a first-hand insight into the maturity of space technologies at that time. With hindsight it is easy to forget that those guys were pushing the envelope in every single subject and no one really knew how things would fall in place. The author experienced the ups and downs with the main players and gives us a insight report on what really happened. He manages to strike a good balance between technical details and the human as well as the "mundane" side of the X-15 program (e.g. when he is waiting for a ride on an Air Force plane to Edwards or when he describes details about the pilot's personalities). I think it gives an interesting perspective on one of the key milestones of aerospace engineering.

5.0 out of 5 stars X-15 Diary, January 15, 2011

By 

M. Robinson (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: X-15 Diary: The Story of America's First Space Ship (Paperback)

I ordered the book about the X-15 plane and it arrived in plenty of time for Christmas! I was very pleased with the service.