Everyone knows about the numerous rockets and satellites launched, but what about high flying airplanes? Check out the other aircrafts you might not have known about…
SpaceShipOne
SpaceShipOne completed its first manned private spaceflight in 2004. The aircraft which can only carry one passenger or fly unmanned achieved an altitude of 112, 014 km in October 4, 2004 in just under 24 minutes.
NASA Helios
NASA Helios was part of the solar and fuel-cell system powered unmanned aerial vehicles project developed by NASA. The Helios HP01 achieved a maximum altitude of 96,863 km.
Grob Strato 2C
The Grob Strato 2C was a German-made experimental research aircraft that was powered by turbo-charged piston engines. Just before the program was cancelled. The Grob Strato 2C attained a maximum height of 60, 897 ft.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 is a Russian-made supersonic interceptor aircraft which is regarded as one of the fastest military aircrafts. In 1977, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 reached 37.650 meters which is approximately 123, 520 ft. to reach an altitude record.
Lockheed NF-104A
The Lockheed NF-104A was a super-sonic aerospace trainer aircraft which was part of a program by the Aerospace Research Pilot School. During the testing period, the Lockheed NF-104A achieved a record altitude of more than 120,000 feet which is approximately 36,000 m above the ground.
North American X-15
The North American X-15 was operated by the United States Air Force as part of the X-planes series program. The North American X-15 achieved a record altitude of 67.0mi which is approximately 107.8km in 1963.
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was originally developed by the United States Air Force and operated by the air forces between 1958 and 2004. The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter set a world record in speed/altitude by achieving 25,000 meters in just 266.03 seconds.
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was originally developed by the United States Navy and is a tandem-two-seats jet interceptors and aircraft bomber. This aircraft was common during the Vietnam War where it was used for both aerial and grounds assaults. In 1959, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II climbed 98, 557 ft. which is approximately 30, 040 m.
SNCASO Trident
The SNCASO Trident was a French-made prototype interceptor aircraft that was designed in the early 1950s. However, the project was halted a few months after it began with only 12 prototypes being built during the period.
Grumman F-11 Tiger
The Grumman F11F Tiger was developed by the United States navy during the early 1950s and 1960s. The Grumman F-11 Tiger was later redesigned to F-11 using the United States Tri-Services aircraft designation system.