How Fast Is Mach 10
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Mach 10 is the equivalent of 7,680 miles per hour, or more than ten times the speed of sound. It is the fastest speed ever achieved in atmospheric flight, and it was done by the flight of the North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft on October 3, 1967. The aircraft was piloted by Peterson Air Force Base commander William J. "Pete" Knight.
The flight exceeded the Mach 9.75 speed that had been achieved by the X-15 earlier in the year. Mach 10 is roughly equivalent to 8,000 mph, more than seven times the speed of sound. The X-15 was the fastest, highest-flying and most maneuverable aircraft of its day, designed to explore the properties of supersonic flight and eventually reach the edge of space. The X-15 was a rocket-powered, winged aircraft that was designed for speeds up to Mach 6 (4,520 mph).
At Mach 10, the X-15 weighed 12,000 pounds and is believed to have exceeded 400,000 feet above the ground. The peak speed of Mach 10 was achieved near the end of the flight when the aircraft free-fell for 17 seconds. During the free-fall, the X-15 accelerated until reaching Mach 10.75, its highest recorded speed.
The record set by the X-15 has never been broken and is considered one of the greatest achievements in aviation history. As impressive as the speed of Mach 10 is, it’s still not the fastest speed ever. That honor goes to the Helios II probe, which reached a speed of 246,960 mph as it orbited the sun in 1998.
Although Mach 10 has never been achieved by any other aircraft, several other high-speed craft have been tested in the atmosphere. For example, the Waverider, a hypersonic aircraft concept currently in development, can reach Mach 10 with the help of a scramjet engine.
Ultimately, Mach 10 is a remarkable speed to behold and one that will likely remain the highest speed ever achieved in atmospheric flight for years to come.