x15chap12

Mike flew 49 combat missions in the F-86 Sabre

during the Korean War, earning him an Air Medal.

author's collection

Mike in school (back row left).

author's collection

Michael James "Mike" Adams, 5 May 1930 to 15 November 1967 (37 years)

X-15 Missions: 7 flights from 6 October 1966 to 15 November 1967

Highest Speed: Mach 5.59 (3,822 mph)xxxxxxxxxxHighest Altitude: 266.000 feet (50.4 miles)

Michael J. Adams, US Air Force. X-15 Pilot no. 12.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Adams stands in front of an X-15 in the Flight Research Center hangar.

North American Aviation



				Mike and his brother George take care of a couple of calves. George Adams collection

Mike Adams was born 5 May 1930 in Sacramenta, Caifornia.

Freida Adams collection

In 1949 Mike acquired a '37 Chevy and did a full restoration.

author's collection

			Then Governor Ronald Reagan with B.G. Simms at Simms Hardware. Lance Simms collection
	Mike's first job was at Simms Hardware in Sacramento. Lance Simms collection

Mike with his best friend, Charles Gerdel, on one of their numerous hunting trips.

Charles Gerdel collection

Mike and Freida Adams on their wedding day in January 1955.

Freida Adams collection

Mike in academia.

author's collection

Lt. Mike Adams, US Air Force Pilot.

author's collection

Maj. Michael J. Adams, X-15 Astronaut.

author's collection

Mike's Basic Flying School diploma from the Hawthorne School of Aeronautics, under contract to the US Air Force. Issued on 12 May 1952.

author's collection

Mike received the A.B. Honts Award as the outstanding scholar of Class 62-C at the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards AFB on 19 Apr. 1963.

author's collection

Class 62C of the Aerospace Research Pilot School. Adams is in the center.

Inset from larger photo: David Scott, Alexander Rupp, and Michael Adams.

author's collection

Adams (front row, 2nd from left) with his fellow classmates at the

Aerospace Research Pilot School. Directly behind Mike is Dave Scott.

Colin Burgess collection

Mike hanging out with his children: Brent, Liese, and Michael Adams Jr.

George Adams collection

Freida with their children.

George Adams collection

Mike (far left) is picked for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) astronaut group.

U.S. Air Force

Zero-G training for MOL in the "Vomit Comet." Mike is against the wall on the right.

author's collection

	Inside the cockpit of X-15 no. 3 on 1 Jul. 1966. Armstrong Flight Research Center
			Adams walks across the tarmac to board X-15 no. 1 for his first flight on 6 Oct. 1966. Armstrong Flight Research Center

	Adams is strapped into the X-15 no. 1 cockpit for flight 1-69-116 on 6 Oct. 1966. Armstrong Flight Research Center
			Fully-fueled, X-15 no. 1 with Adams in the cockpit, ready for taxi on his first flight. author's collection

Taxiing to the runway for takeoff. Note the X-15 flight markings on the side of the fuselage of B-52 no. 003.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

X-15 no. 3 prepares for drop from B-52 no. 008. Note the T-38 Talon chase plane.

NASA Headquarters

The X-15 comes in for a perfect touchdown.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Adams meets with ground personnel soon after landing in X-15 no. 3 on 29 Nov. 1966.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

X-15 post-flight on the lakebed at Rogers Dry Lake, speed brakes still extended.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Frame from X-15 no. 1 bug-eye camera prior to flight 1-70-119 on 22 Mar. 1967.

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum

On the lakebed following flight in X-15 no. 1.

author's collection

Mike relaxing in the family's living room.

George Adams collection

Freida and Mike with a friend at their home.

Freida Adams collection

Mike loved the outdoors, such as camping and fishing, with his family.

Freida Adams collection

Mike and Frieda at a fancy dress soirée, 1967.

Freida Adams collection

X-15 no. 1 under the wing of B-52 no. 3 at the Edwards AFB air show on 21 May 1967. The next flight of this aircraft was on 15 June by Mike Adams on mission 1-72-125.

author's collection



			Michael Adams lost his life on X-15 flight 3-65-97 on 15 Nov. 1967. The aircraft went into a hypersonic spin and he was unable to eject. His was the only fatality of the X-15 program. author's collection

	A loads test on X-15 no. 3 on 15 Aug. 1967, prior to Adams 6th flight on 25 August. author's collection

The Adams Family: Freida with their children, Mike Jr., Liese, and Brent.

author's collection

Mike's mother, Georgia, with a portrait of her son.

author's collection

Freida surrounded by Pete Knight and Bill Dana.

author's collection

More posthumous accolades for Mike Adams with Freida, Brent, Liese, and Mike Jr.

author's collection

Mike's slide rule and case.

photo by Michelle Evans

Mike's personal effects kept by his wife, Freida.

photo by Michelle Evans



			Command Astronaut Wings were presented to Mike Adams posthumously for his fatal flight to 266,000 feet on 15 Nov. 1967. author's collection

Mike Adams' dry sense of humor is evident when he went out on the wet lakebed at Edwards to comment about flying conditions.

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Major Michael J. Adams, US Air Force.

Armstrong Flight Research Center