February 1959 - February 22, 1959 (Sunday)

February 22, 1959 (Sunday)

• It was reported that the United States might put a man into space as early as February 26, with Scott Crossfield, a test pilot for North American Aviation, flying the X-15 to a point 200 miles (320 km) above the Earth. The X-15 would be carried to 40,000 feet (12,000 m) abe Wendover Air Force Base by a B-52 jet, then separate and ignite rocket fuel to climb into space. Crossfield was one of seven X-15 astronauts, as was Neil A. Armstrong. The X-15 was tested in March 1959, but was not launched into space.
• Born: Kyle MacLachlan, American actor