WMoF Celebrity Series: In the Line of Duty: Michael Adams & the X-15
The X-15 Rocket Plane: Fact or fiction? Cartoon or real? It is real alright. It was a THE rocket with wings. America’s No. 1 research plane. Because it was the first plane to reach hypersonic speeds it gave America the step to create a new class of astronauts.
Come to WMoF to hear author Michelle Evans (“The X-15 Rocket Plane, Flying the First Wings into Space” ) tell us about USAF Major Michael Adams the final pilot/astronaut of the X-15.
Adams knew immediately he was destined to fly the X-15. He had two setbacks. First he lost a slot of the second group of astronauts due to an injury sustained in a F-104 ejection. Forestalled by his selection to the Air Force’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory which was eventually cancelled, Adams was selected along with legendary test pilots as Scott Crossfield, Robert White, and Neil Armstrong. Mike Adams was the only X-15 pilot to lose his life while flying the program.
Adams was the only pilot/astronaut to die. Evans will be here to raise our knowledge of Adams and the X-15. Evans interviewed 70 people connected to the program, including Adams’ wife, children, brother, and friends.
Evans is the founder and president of Mach 25 Media and is a writer, photographer, and communications specialist in aerospace. The author’s background in aerospace engineering includes serving in the US Air Force working on missile systems and later in private industry accomplishing environmental testing for systems used in airliners and spacecraft. Her current work with Mach 25 Media provides education and display services for astronaut appearances and other space-related events at government facilities, science centers, schools, and other venues across the country and overseas.
Parking is free in museum lots. Cost of Admission is $10; Museum Members Free
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