Nov 18 1966
From The Space Library
Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) flew X-15 No. 2 to 4,250 mph (mach 6.33) and 98,900-ft. altitude during 9-min. flight, successfully using full external propellant tanks for first time and setting new speed record for X-15 aircraft. Previous 4,104-mph (mach 6.059) record had been set by the late Joseph A. Walker (NASA), June 27, 1962. (X-15 Proj. Off.; UPI, NYT, 11/19/66, 24)
NASA Nike-Apache launched from WSMR to 100-mi. (161-km.) altitude carried NASA-Dudley Observatory (Albany, N.Y.) experiment to collect micrometeorite particles at time of 33-yr. maximum of Leonid meteor shower and GSFC experiment to determine vehicle slant range. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily, but payload was not recovered and no data were obtained. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
US. had notified Government of Nigeria that, with conclusion of Gemini program, NASA would close tracking station at Kano. (NASA Release 66/296)
November 18: George Cooper, ARC's Chief Test Pilot and Chief of Flight Operations, received Admiral Luis de Florez Flight Safety Award at International Air Safety Seminar in Madrid. He was cited for "his contribution to the safety of air transportation through improved understanding of the relation between pilot and aircraft." (ARC Release 66-17)
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