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Joe Walker

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description Joe Walker Overview

Joseph "Joe" Walker was an American test pilot who flew the North American X-15 for NASA. In 1963, he reached an altitude of 354,200 feet, making him the first person to fly an airplane into space and exceeding the 50-mile threshold for astronaut wings. He also served as the chief research pilot at the NASA Flight Research Center. Walker died in 1966 during a mid-air collision involving an XB-70 Valkyrie.

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How high did Joe Walker fly the X-15?

On August 22, 1963, Walker reached 354,200 feet, or about 67.1 miles, in X-15 number 3. NASA records this as the highest altitude reached during the X-15 program. [NASA X-15 history](https://www.nasa.gov/history/65-years-ago-first-factory-rollout-of-the-x-15-hypersonic-rocket-plane/)

How many X-15 flights did Joe Walker complete?

Walker completed 25 X-15 flights as a NASA research pilot. He became NASA’s first pilot to fly the X-15 and later moved to the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle program.

Why is Joe Walker associated with astronaut wings?

Walker crossed the U.S. Air Force’s 50-mile threshold on X-15 flights, although NASA did not award him astronaut wings at the time. He was later honored posthumously at a 2005 NASA ceremony.

What did Joe Walker do after leaving the X-15 program?

He worked on the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, a flying simulator for the final descent of the Apollo lunar module. Between 1964 and 1966, he conducted 35 test flights of that vehicle.