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From: kwan@smeagol.UUCP (Richard Kwan)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Re: Altitude of "space"
Message-ID: <557@smeagol.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-Jan-86 22:18:49 EST
Article-I.D.: smeagol.557
Posted: Fri Jan 17 22:18:49 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 20-Jan-86 05:31:06 EST
References: <8512312026.AA15784@s1-b.arpa> <70@dg_rtp.UUCP> <1274@sdcsvax.UUCP> <1287@sdcsvax.UUCP> <2553@amdahl.UUCP> <615@riccb.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Spacecraft Data Systems, JPL, Pasadena, CA
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> > So just how far does one have to go to reach 'space'?
> > -- 
> > E. Michael Smith  ...!{hplabs,ihnp4,amd,nsc}!amdahl!ems
> 
> Many pilots unofficially recognized 50 (statute) miles as the beginning of
> space, i.e. beyond the atmosphere.  This would make a number of X-15 missions
> space flights.  A more common recognition today is an altitude of 100 km
> (about 62 statute miles).  Still some of the X-15 flights were above this
> mark...
> --
> 	Roger Noe			ihnp4!riccb!rjnoe

Like various manned spacecraft, the X-15 required attitude control jets
to maneuver in a rarified atmosphere (or is it space?).  It also had to
tolerate a hot re-entry.  This much it has in common with Mercury,
Gemini, Apollo, and the shuttle orbiter.

	Rick Kwan
	JPL Spacecraft Data Systems group