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From: mink@cfa.UUCP (Doug Mink)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Altitude of "space"
Message-ID: <173@cfa.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-Jan-86 12:36:03 EST
Article-I.D.: cfa.173
Posted: Fri Jan 17 12:36:03 1986
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Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
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> 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.  There is no universally accepted definition since there is no real
> boundary to cross to get to space.
>                                               Roger Noe

In the early 60's, an altitude of 50 miles was recognized as the
beginning of space for the purpose of earning Astronaut wings, which I
believe were awarded to several X-15 pilots as well as to Mercury,
Gemini, and Apollo astronauts.
--
                                        Doug Mink