A rocket-powered aircraft or rocket plane is an aircraft that uses a rocket engine for propulsion, sometimes in addition to airbreathing jet engines. Rocket planes can achieve much higher speeds than similarly sized jet aircraft, but typically for at most a few minutes of powered operation, followed by a gliding flight .

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet is a rocket-powered interceptor aircraft primarily designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt. It is the only operational rocket-powered fighter aircraft in history as well as the first piloted aircraft of any type to exceed 1,000 kilometres per hour (620 mph) in level flight.

The North American X-15 is a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft which was operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the X-plane series of experimental aircraft.

2 days ago · The X-15 was a groundbreaking rocket-powered aircraft that set records still unbeaten today—including the fastest crewed flight at Mach 6.7. Designed to gather data for NASA’s space ambitions ...

Sep 17, 2024 · The X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft, built by North American Aviation (NAA), greatly expanded our knowledge of flight at speeds exceeding Mach 6 and altitudes above 250,000 feet. A joint project among NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy, the X-15’s first powered flight took place on Sept. 17, 1959, at the Flight Research ...

Feb 20, 2020 · For some very good reasons, rocket planes are rare. They’re also fascinating. The Martin Marietta X-24 was a NASA experimental rocket-powered lifting body design that paved the way for the space shuttle.

Dawn Aerospace is building an aircraft with the performance of a rocket to bring rapid reusability and fleet economics to spaceflight. A Suborbital Aircraft Mission: To be the first vehicle to fly above 100km altitude, twice in one day.

Feb 28, 2014 · Demonstration of a pilot’s ability to control a rocket boosted aerospace vehicle through atmospheric exit. Successful transition from aerodynamic controls to reaction controls and back again.

Oct 13, 2023 · On Oct. 15, 1958, the first X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft rolled out of its factory. A joint project among NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy, the X-15 greatly expanded our knowledge of flight at speeds exceeding Mach 6 and altitudes above 250,000 feet.

Still the fastest airplane ever flown, the North American X-15 earned its title 40 years ago, when on October 3, 1967 Air Force Major William “Pete” Knight flew the rocket-powered aircraft to...