Why Neil Armstrong’s X-15 Test Flight ‘Bounced’ Off The Atmosphere

You may remember First Man, the 2018 film chronicling Neil Armstrong’s journey from test pilot to astronaut. It opens with a jaw-dropping scene of Armstrong flying an X-15 rocket plane to the edge of space—and nearly losing control. While gripping, the movie takes some creative liberties. The truth behind this harrowing flight is even more technical—and just as intense.

Not Just About Emotion

In the film, Armstrong’s near-disaster is partially attributed to his emotional distress over his daughter’s illness. But the reality is far more grounded in engineering and split-second piloting decisions.

In April 1962, Armstrong took the X-15 #3 on what would become one of the most infamous flights of the hypersonic test program. This particular aircraft had already experienced trouble—a prior engine test explosion had sidelined it for repairs. During the rebuild, it was fitted with the MH-96, an experimental electronic flight control system designed to help stabilize the plane during high-speed, high-altitude maneuvers.

A Complex Flight Plan

The X-15 was a unique aircraft designed to push the boundaries of speed and altitude. Launched from under the wing of a B-52 bomber at 45,000 feet, the rocket plane would ignite its engine and climb steeply into near space. Once above the atmosphere, where traditional aerodynamic control surfaces no longer worked, pilots would switch to reaction control thrusters—tiny rockets that used hydrogen peroxide to make course corrections.

On this flight, Armstrong climbed to 207,500 feet. At around 90,000 feet on descent, he noticed smoke in the cockpit—likely paint burning off due to the extreme heat from re-entry. However, the real trouble began when Armstrong began testing the G-limiter on the MH-96 system. Intent on observing how the new flight system handled G-forces, he delayed switching back to aerodynamic control.

That delay caused Armstrong to overshoot his descent and enter the upper atmosphere again—traveling at Mach 3 in air too thin to maneuver effectively.

Out of Time and Airspace

Armstrong realized he had flown so far that he risked overshooting Edwards Air Force Base entirely. With little time to think and no margin for error, he quickly calculated that his best chance was the South Base lake bed, about 12 miles south of the main runway.

Thanks to his composure and experience, Armstrong successfully landed the X-15 on the smooth lake bed—bringing the flight to a dramatic but safe end. It would be his sixth of seven X-15 missions.

A Plane With a Tragic End

Although Armstrong walked away from that flight, X-15 #3 didn’t have such a lucky fate. In 1967, during its 65th flight, the same aircraft entered a supersonic spin and broke apart mid-air, becoming the only X-15 lost in flight. The pilot, Michael Adams, tragically did not survive.

Later that same year, Armstrong would transfer full-time to the astronaut corps, beginning his path to Apollo 11—and the Moon.