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)

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

September 1944, Robert Rushworth earns his wings.

Melvin Croft collection

Bob and his new wife, Joyce (née Butler).

Melvin Croft collection

Bob Rushworth before entering military service.

Melvin Croft collection

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

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

Relaxing at home before flight with Joyce and their daughter Cheri.

Melvin Croft collection

In the suiting van, surrounded by aeromedical technicians taping sensors to his body.

Melvin Croft collection

Another view of the preparations for Rushworth's first flight with second B-52 behind.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

An elated Bob Rushworth after his X-15 flight.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

B-52 no. 008 is being towed with X-15 no. 1 and Rushworth on wing, 4 Nov. 1960.

author's collection

X-15 no. 1 is serviced on the lakebed following Rushworth's first flight.

Edwards History Office

Rushworth's first flight begins as the B-52 taxis toward the runway on 4 Nov. 1960.

author's collection

Two images of Bob Rushworth on the lakebed at Edwards following successful X-15 missions.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

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

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

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

McKay, Walker, Thompson, Rushworth, and Engle in front of X-15 no. 3 in Sep. 1964.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Petersen, Walker, White, Rushworth, and McKay discusses an X-15 flight plan.

Sheri McKay-Lowe collection

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

The X-15 zooms away from the B-52. Photo taken from the B-52's observation blister.

author's collection

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

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

US Air Force Captain Robert A. Rushworth, Astronaut.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Madison (Maine) Historical Society honored Rushworth with a re-creation of Bob's office with numerous personal artifacts.

Melvin Croft collection

X-15A-2 on the lakbed being serviced after another successful mission.

author's collection

Rushworth strikes a heroic pose after landing X-15 no. 3.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Bob Rushworth soon after his selection as an X-15 pilot.

Melvin Croft collection