description Joe Engle Overview
American test pilot and astronaut who flew the X-15 above 50 miles three times, earning USAF astronaut wings before later commanding Space Shuttle missions.
insights Why this score
Joe Engle ranks #57 of 195 in the Aviator ranking, behind Anthony Fokker, ahead of Joe Kittinger.
help Joe Engle FAQ
How did Joe Engle earn his astronaut wings before joining NASA?
Joe Engle earned his USAF astronaut wings by flying the X-15 rocket plane above 50 miles three times. This remarkable achievement occurred in the 1960s before he was selected as a NASA astronaut.
Did Joe Engle ever fly to the Moon?
Although he served as the backup Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 14, he never walked on the Moon. The cancellation of the Apollo program ended his chances of a lunar flight.
What Space Shuttle missions did Joe Engle command?
Joe Engle commanded two Space Shuttle missions: STS-2 aboard Columbia in 1981 and STS-51-I aboard Discovery in 1985. He was the only person to manually fly the Shuttle through atmospheric reentry.
What aircraft did Joe Engle test as an Air Force pilot?
Before his NASA career, he was a test pilot for the US Air Force. He notably tested the North American X-15, an experimental hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.
explore Explore More
Similar to Joe Engle
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
