2007-02-26 16:55:24 · 12 answers · asked by Mere Mortal 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
On November 16th, 2004, NASA's scram-jet powered X-43A flew at mach 9.6...or nearly 7,000 miles per hour, marking the fastest speed ever attained by a vehicle that was not designed to exit the earth's atmosphere.
By way of comparison, 7,000 mph is more than three times the fastest speed of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird...the fastest conventionally powered jet ever produced.
Although, it's debatable whether or not the X-43A is an actual "vehicle", as it was unmanned and was controlled from the ground.
2007-02-26 17:13:45 · answer #1 · answered by Silver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The x-15 is the fastest manned object that wasnt a spacecraft. The x-43 was unmanned.
The x-15 first flew in the late 50's, even before sputnik went into orbit.
In the early 60's, the x-15 set the world speed record of mach 6.2, and an altitude record of over 400,000 feet.
Some x-15's actually reached space, and the pilots were awarded their astronaut wings.
2007-02-27 03:20:00 · answer #2 · answered by Doggzilla 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no one really knows how fast the SR-71 really is. all the AIR Force will say mach 3+. as that's the highest the mach indicator that the AF has will go to. I had a crew chief on my B-52 that crewed the Blackbird and he said on many times when the plane landed. the mach indicator was broken and the needle was pegged past mach 3. so only the military knows how fast for sure and they wont tell no one.
but as far as production goes its the fastest that has been release by our gov. there is talk about Orion is even faster than the SR-71 with pulse engines. but the gov wont say if it exist or not. so in the end who knows what the military has stashed away that could be the fastest.
2007-02-27 04:03:08 · answer #3 · answered by Jecht 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the NASA diary of things, they have said that the North American X-15 was the fastest reusable aircraft to fly prior to the shuttle. It went over 50 miles up and flew at over 4,500 miles per hour which is twice the speed of the SR-71.
2007-03-01 14:08:40 · answer #4 · answered by Keith R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance jet is probably the fastest. It goes so fast the friction of the air heats the metal skin on it so much it stretches.
2007-02-27 01:05:00 · answer #5 · answered by jim d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably Airplanes, particularly fighter jets capable of like Mach III
2007-02-27 00:58:22 · answer #6 · answered by Dylan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the X-43 at Mach 9.8.
2007-02-27 01:58:40 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unmanned is the x-43
manned the x-15
stupid things never have a production future but we learn from them somehow
2007-02-27 03:12:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
with rocket engine it was x-15 reaching upto 6.5 mach... with air breathing engines it is the x-43a which attained mach9 in 2003
2007-02-27 05:24:43 · answer #9 · answered by sonic vino 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why wouldn't it be some type of Honda?? To here them tell it.Nothing can beat a Honda.
2007-02-27 01:25:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋