Robert Aitken "Bob" Rushworth, 9 October 1924 to 18 March 1993 (68 years) X-15 Missions: 34 flights from 4 November 1960 to 1 July 1966 Highest Speed: Mach 6.06 (4,018 mph)xxxxxxxxxxHighest Altitude: 285.000 feet (54.0 miles) |
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Robert A. Rushworth, US Air Force. X-15 Pilot no. 6. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
As dawn approaches, the X-15 is ready to fly. author's collection |
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September 1944, Robert Rushworth earns his wings. Melvin Croft collection |
Bob and his new wife, Joyce (née Butler). Melvin Croft collection |
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Bob Rushworth before entering military service. Melvin Croft collection |
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Rushworth discusses X-15 wind tunnel model with Arnold Engineering Development Complex research engineer Jack Durand at the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility. Melvin Croft collection |
Annette Freres, daughter of AEDC engineer Jack Durand, checks out the same X-15 model more than 50 years later on 10 Jun. 2019 at Arnold AFB, Tennessee. US Air Force |
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Rushworth's first flight (1-16-29) prepares to taxi on 4 Nov. 1960 with B-52 no. 008. Second X-15 being prepped in the background is for Scott Crossfield and flight 2-10-21 with mothership B-52 no. 003, the first to fly the XLR-99 rocket engine on 15 Nov. 1960. author's collection |
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Relaxing at home before flight with Joyce and their daughter Cheri. Melvin Croft collection |
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In the suiting van, surrounded by aeromedical technicians taping sensors to his body. Melvin Croft collection |
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Another view of the preparations for Rushworth's first flight with second B-52 behind. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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An elated Bob Rushworth after his X-15 flight. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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B-52 no. 008 is being towed with X-15 no. 1 and Rushworth on wing, 4 Nov. 1960. author's collection |
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X-15 no. 1 is serviced on the lakebed following Rushworth's first flight. Edwards History Office |
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Rushworth's first flight begins as the B-52 taxis toward the runway on 4 Nov. 1960. author's collection |
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Two images of Bob Rushworth on the lakebed at Edwards following successful X-15 missions. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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X-15 no. 3 at the moment of release from the B-52 wing pylon. NASA Headquarters |
Rushworth speaking to a colleague soon after egressing the cockpit. NASA Headquarters |
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Rushworth flies first test with lower ventral removed with flight 1-23-39 on 4 Oct. 1961. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
Bob had a premature engine shutdown on 22 May 1962, but made it back to Edwards. Defense Audio Visual Agency |
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Rushworth launches on his 9th X-15 mission on flight 3-10-19, 4 Oct. 1962. At right, after landing on the Rogers Dry Lake. This was Bob's first flight in X-15 no. 3. author's collection |
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McKay, Walker, Thompson, Rushworth, and Engle in front of X-15 no. 3 in Sep. 1964. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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Petersen, Walker, White, Rushworth, and McKay discusses an X-15 flight plan. Sheri McKay-Lowe collection |
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President Lyndon Johnson (center) visits Edwards AFB. Rushworth is between LBJ and B-52 pilot Fitz Fulton. Above them is the X-15A-2. Grace Walker collection |
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The X-15 zooms away from the B-52. Photo taken from the B-52's observation blister. author's collection |
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Rushworth approaches touchdown after his flight to 285,000 feet on 27 Jun. 1963. Flight 3-20-30 earned Bob a set of astronaut wings, the third X-15 pilot to achieve that status. Defense Audio Visual Agency |
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Rushworth greeted after the flight by wife Joyce and daughter Cheri. Associated Press |
Bob shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Irving L. "Twig" Branch, Commander of the Edwards Flight Test Center. Associated Press |
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US Air Force Captain Robert A. Rushworth, Astronaut. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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Rushworth receives his astronaut wings in a ceremony at the Pentagon on 25 Jul. 1963. (L-R) Sen. Edmund Muskie (D-ME), Rep. Clifford McIntire (R-ME), Sen. Margaret Chase Smith (R-ME), Maj. Robert Rushworth, Mrs. Joyce Rushworth, and Gen. Curtis LeMay. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith Library collection |
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Bob leaves the suiting van to begin his 32nd mission on 3 Nov. 1965. This was the first to fly the X-15A-2 with a set of external fuel tanks, although the tanks were empty. author's collection |
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Rushworth's 16th flight on 7 Nov. 1963. The landing skids spread more than normal, causing the X-15 to steer to the left as it slowed to a stop author's collection |
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Two views of Robert Rushworth serving in the NASA control room as NASA 1 during an X-15 mission. This position was the precursor to CapCom. In the image above, Bob is standing on the right. Various engineers monitor systems, and a large plotting board to follow the flight after launch can be seen directly behind Bob's back. NASA Headquarters |
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View of the X-15 from inside the B-52 mothership as it leaves the runway at Edwards. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
On the B-52 wing with an F-104 Starfighter chase plane standing by for launch. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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A second chase plane, an F-100 Super Sabre, moves in for a close-up check of the exterior of the X-15 prior to a proceed-to-launch clearance. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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Rushworth getting buttoned up in the X-15A-2 on 18 May 1966 for flight 2-44-79. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
Unusual overhead aerial view of the B-52 and X-15 being prepared for a mission. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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The nose gear extended at Mach 4.2 (approximately 2,800 mph). The heat damage caused the tires to fail just 300 feet after touchdown. Mission 2-33-56 on 14 Aug. 1964. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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The rear of X-15A-2 after the tires shredded on landing on 14 Aug. 1964. author's collection |
Bob with Life Support specialist Ralph Richadson following a flight. author's collection |
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The Madison (Maine) Historical Society honored Rushworth with a re-creation of Bob's office with numerous personal artifacts. Melvin Croft collection |
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X-15A-2 on the lakbed being serviced after another successful mission. author's collection |
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Rushworth strikes a heroic pose after landing X-15 no. 3. Armstrong Flight Research Center |
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Bob Rushworth soon after his selection as an X-15 pilot. Melvin Croft collection |
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