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Major Michael J. Adams (USAF)
Born: 5 May 1930 in Sacramento, California. Education: Received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from Oklahoma University in 1958. Marital Status: Married to Frieda Adams. Children: Three: Michael, Jr., Brent, and Liese. Experience: Michael Adams joined the U.S. Air Force in November 1952 and flew 49 missions in the Korean War. Following graduation from Oklahoma University he completed USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School. In 1964 he tested a lunar lander trainer. He was selected as a Manned Orbiting Laboratory astronaut in 1965, but left to join the X-15 program. This position was opened when Joe Engle became a NASA astronaut in 1966. His first X-15 flight occurred on 6 October 1966 when he a maximum speed of 2893 mph and a maximum altitude of 75,400 feet (14.28 miles). On 15 November 1967 he made his seventh and final flight in X-15 No. 3. He achieved a maximum speed of 3561 mph and a maximum altitude of 266,000 feet (50.38 miles). Upon re-entry the vehicle entered a spin at a speed of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). At approximately 18,600 feet the vehicle began to dive followed by high frequency pitch oscillations. The vehicle disintegrated when the forces reached 15 Gs (15 times Earth's gravity), killing Adams. |
