Lockheed X-17

The device
The Lockheed X-17 was a three stage solid-fuel research rocket to test the effects of high mach atmospheric re-entry that took off from Patrick AFB at one point reached the speed of Mach 14.5.


 * Launch date- 1958.
 * Length- 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m).
 * Diameter- 1st stage: 2 ft 7 in (0.79 m).
 * Wingspan- 7 ft 7 in (2.3 m).
 * Operational range- 135 miles (217 km).
 * Flight altitude- 250 mi (400 km).
 * Top Speed- Mach 14.5.

Whist it was puny in comparison to other later rockets it and other related rockets like Aerobee unguided suborbital sounding rocket, Astrobee rocket and Black Brant rocket were non the less a vital in researching early space data such as how high speeds and extreme g-forces would affect machinery.

Link

 * 1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_X-17