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Joe Engle

Joe Henry Engle (August 26, 1932 – July 10, 2024) was an American aeronautical engineer, U.S. Air Force test pilot, and NASA astronaut renowned as the only individual to fly both the X-15 rocket-powered aircraft and the Space Shuttle into space, logging over 224 hours in space across multiple missions. Born in Abilene, Kansas, Engle graduated with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from the University of Kansas in 1955 and was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force through ROTC, earning his pilot wings in 1958. He flew F-100 Super Sabres operationally in Europe before transitioning to test pilot duties at Edwards Air Force Base, where he graduated from the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1962. In 1963, at age 31, Engle joined the X-15 program as a project pilot, completing 16 flights between 1963 and 1965, during which he exceeded Mach 5 ten times and reached a top speed of Mach 5.71 (3,886 mph). He qualified for U.S. Air Force astronaut wings on three occasions by surpassing the 50-mile altitude threshold, becoming the youngest pilot to earn such recognition at age 32. Selected as part of NASA's 19th astronaut group in April 1966, Engle contributed to the agency's early efforts, serving as a support crew member for and backup lunar module pilot for , while training as lunar module pilot for Apollo 17. He later commanded the during its 1977 , becoming the first to manually land a returning from velocity (Mach 25) during the November 1981 mission aboard Columbia, NASA's second orbital shuttle flight. Engle commanded his second shuttle mission, STS-51-I on Discovery in August 1985, deploying three communications satellites and retrieving two others from orbit. His X-15 research advanced technologies that influenced the Mercury, , Apollo, and programs, including data and reentry dynamics. Engle retired from NASA in 1986 after 20 years of service but continued his military career, retiring as a Major General from the Kansas Air National Guard in 1991 after 34 years of combined active and reserve duty. In his post-NASA years, he worked as an engineering consultant, served on NASA's International Space Station Advisory Committee, and acted as a technical advisor for aviation projects, while also representing Bushnell Performance Optics. Engle's distinguished career earned him numerous honors, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, the Collier Trophy, and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001. He passed away at his home in Houston, Texas, on July 10, 2024, at the age of 91.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Joe Henry Engle was born on August 26, 1932, in , and grew up in the nearby rural community of Chapman, a small town that shaped his early years. He was the youngest of three children to parents Abner Ethan Engle, a vocational agriculture teacher, and Margaret (Beaver) Engle, a schoolteacher prior to her marriage. His sisters were Betty Ann Poland and Mary Jane Engle Smith, and the family resided in a modest home environment typical of Depression-era , fostering a sense of resilience and community. During his pre-teen and teenage years, Engle engaged in extracurricular activities that highlighted his adventurous spirit, notably joining the and attaining the rank of Scout. His initial exposure to aviation stemmed from local influences in Chapman, including an early passenger ride in a Piper Cub at around age 10 and a ride in a PT-17 Stearman during a event, which ignited a lifelong passion for flying as early as second grade when he fashioned pretend aircraft from orange crates. In 1956, Engle married Mary Catherine Lawrence of Mission Hills, ; the couple had two children—a daughter, Laurie, born in 1959, and a son, Jon, born in 1962—with Mary providing essential family support.

Academic and early aviation interests

Engle graduated from Dickinson County High School in Chapman, , in 1950. He then attended the , where he earned a degree in aeronautical in 1955 while participating in the Air Force ROTC program. Engle's early exposure to began in childhood through building and flying model airplanes, often encouraged by his father who took him to local airfields to watch aircraft operations. These experiences, combined with his active involvement in the where he achieved the rank of and developed discipline beneficial to his studies, solidified his resolve to pursue a career in piloting upon completing his university education; by age 14 or 15, he had soloed in a .

Military career

U.S. Air Force commissioning and training

Joe Engle received his commission as a in the U.S. through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at the in 1955, following his graduation with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He entered Air Force flying school in 1957 and completed primary flight training, earning his pilot wings in 1958. Following qualification, Engle's initial assignment was to the 474th Fighter Day Squadron at George Air Force Base, California, where he flew the F-100 Super Sabre in operational roles. He later served with the 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron at the same base, continuing to build experience in the F-100. In 1960, he was assigned to the 22nd Fighter Day Squadron at Bitburg Air Base, Germany, spending three and a half years flying F-86 Sabre and F-100 Super Sabre aircraft in support of NATO defense operations. During this period of routine operational flying in both Europe and the United States, Engle advanced through the ranks, achieving promotion to captain in the early 1960s and to major by mid-decade, while accumulating thousands of flight hours in high-performance fighters.

Test pilot roles and X-15 program

Following his commissioning and initial flight training, Engle's experience flying the F-100 Super Sabre in operational squadrons provided essential preparation for high-performance testing. In 1961, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Experimental Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where he honed skills in evaluating experimental aircraft under extreme conditions. Upon completion, Engle was assigned to the Fighter Test Branch of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards, where he conducted flight tests on a variety of advanced aircraft, including century-series fighters like the F-100, F-101, F-104, and F-105, contributing to performance data and safety improvements for Air Force operations. In 1962, Engle advanced to the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS), graduating the following year under the command of Colonel , which positioned him for selection as a project pilot in the X-15 hypersonic research program in June 1963. Over the next two years, he completed 16 flights in the X-15 rocket plane, a joint NASA-Air Force effort to explore the boundaries of and high-altitude aerodynamics. Three of these flights exceeded 50 miles (80 km) in altitude, qualifying him for U.S. Air Force wings; his milestone flight occurred on June 29, 1965, aboard X-15 No. 3, reaching 280,600 feet (85,527 meters) and marking him as the youngest military pilot to earn such qualification at age 32. Engle's X-15 missions yielded critical data on hypersonic , heat loads, and control systems, informing the design of future vehicles like the by demonstrating stable flight at velocities up to and beyond. His personal achievements included a top speed of (3,886 mph; 6,253 km/h) on one flight, along with routinely surpassing on ten occasions, which expanded the understanding of atmospheric reentry dynamics and propulsion limits. Throughout his , Engle piloted more than 185 different types, encompassing fighters, experimental vehicles, and platforms, amassing expertise that underscored his role as a pioneering .

NASA career

Astronaut selection and Apollo involvement

Engle's selection to 's astronaut corps was influenced by his prior qualifications from the X-15 program, where he had already earned astronaut wings by exceeding 50 miles in altitude on three flights. On , 1966, he was chosen as one of 19 candidates for 's fifth astronaut group, becoming the youngest selectee at age 32. This group, announced publicly that day, focused on pilots with extensive test experience to support the Apollo lunar . Following his selection, Engle relocated to the Manned Spacecraft Center (now ) in , Texas, for intensive basic . The curriculum included field trips to simulate lunar surface operations, such as excursions to where he studied volcanic terrain and mapped geological features relevant to moon exploration. Additional training encompassed survival exercises, including jungle survival in and desert survival near , to prepare for potential mission contingencies. Astronauts also received detailed instruction on spacecraft systems, covering the Apollo command and lunar modules' operations, navigation, and emergency procedures. Engle's initial Apollo assignments began with the support crew for in May 1969, where he assisted in mission planning, simulations, and capsule communicator duties from Mission Control, contributing to the dress rehearsal for the lunar landing. He advanced to backup Lunar Module Pilot for , launched in January 1971, training extensively in lunar module operations and surface activities alongside prime crew members and . Originally designated as Lunar Module Pilot for —the final lunar mission scheduled for December 1972—Engle was reassigned in favor of geologist to prioritize scientific expertise on the moon's surface, a decision driven by advocacy from the scientific community. By the time of his NASA selection, Engle had accumulated over 5,000 hours in , underscoring his exceptional piloting background that facilitated his rapid integration into the program.

Space Shuttle program contributions

Following the completion of his Apollo assignments, Engle was assigned to NASA's at the , where he contributed to the orbiter's design with a particular emphasis on pilot interfaces to enhance operational usability and safety during atmospheric reentry and landing. His prior experience as backup pilot for and 17 provided essential insights into crew-vehicle interactions, serving as a foundation for his Shuttle leadership roles. Engle's expertise proved instrumental in the (ALT) conducted in 1977 at the Dryden Flight Research Center (now Armstrong), where he commanded the second crew aboard the prototype orbiter , paired with pilot Richard H. Truly. Over the course of the ALT program, this crew executed two of the five free flights, releasing from a modified carrier aircraft at altitudes around 20,000 to 26,000 feet to evaluate the orbiter's unpowered glide and landing performance on the lakebed runway. These tests validated critical aerodynamic stability, control systems, and pilot handling qualities, directly informing the operational configuration for subsequent orbital missions. From March to December 1982, Engle served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he oversaw the integration of human spaceflight operations, including Shuttle mission planning, crew training, and program safety protocols. In this administrative capacity, he bridged technical development with policy execution, ensuring alignment between engineering advancements and mission readiness during the early operational phase of the Shuttle fleet. Following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, Engle participated in the subsequent accident investigation, drawing on his extensive background to offer insights into , pilot , and factors. His contributions helped inform recommendations for improving reliability and crew safety protocols in the post-accident review process. Engle retired from NASA on November 28, 1986, concluding a 20-year tenure that spanned from his astronaut selection in 1966 to pivotal roles in advancing the agency's capabilities.

Spaceflights

X-15 suborbital missions

Joe Engle flew 16 missions in the hypersonic research aircraft as part of a joint U.S. and program from October 7, 1963, to October 14, 1965. Each flight followed a standard profile: the X-15 was air-launched from the wing of a modified B-52 Stratofortress mothership at around 45,000 feet over the desert, after which Engle ignited the single XLR99 using anhydrous ammonia and propellants to propel the aircraft to hypersonic speeds and altitudes exceeding 200,000 feet. The engine burned for 60 to 120 seconds, depending on mission objectives, before shutdown, leaving the X-15 to coast ballistically and then glide unpowered for a on the dry lakebed at . These suborbital trajectories provided critical data on hypersonic , , and human factors in extreme environments, directly informing designs for later spacecraft like the Apollo command module and . Engle's missions emphasized high-speed and high-altitude performance testing, with ten flights surpassing Mach 5 and his personal maximum speed of Mach 5.71 (3,886 mph) achieved on one ascent. A highlight was his third X-15 flight on June 29, 1965, aboard aircraft No. 3 (56-6672), where he reached 280,600 feet (85.5 km)—exceeding the 50-mile (80 km) U.S. Air Force definition of space—and qualified for military astronaut wings at age 32, the youngest pilot to do so in a winged vehicle. He repeated this suborbital threshold twice more, on August 10, 1965 (Flight 143, altitude 271,000 feet or 82.6 km), and his final mission on October 14, 1965 (Flight 153, altitude 266,500 feet or 81.2 km), both contributing valuable telemetry on upper-atmospheric stability and pilot workload. These achievements made Engle one of only eight X-15 pilots to earn astronaut wings. Throughout his X-15 tenure, Engle encountered operational challenges typical of the experimental program's cutting-edge risks, including anomalies and flight demands at the limits of technology. On his debut flight (, 1963, Flight 39), an engine startup issue delayed ignition briefly, but he successfully completed the run and, near landing, executed an unauthorized 360-degree roll to test the aircraft's low-speed handling, demonstrating its responsiveness despite program managers' initial surprise. Later missions involved troubleshooting intermittent engine malfunctions, such as partial-thrust conditions that required rapid pilot adjustments to maintain trajectory, and issues during reentry where the X-15's using thrusters was essential for attitude management in near-vacuum conditions. Engle's flights advanced understanding of reentry heating dynamics, with onboard sensors capturing data on thermal loads up to 1,200 degrees on the aircraft's Inconel-X skin, validating hypersonic models for future orbital vehicles.

Space Shuttle missions

Joe Engle played a pivotal role in the early testing of the through his command of the second crew for the (ALT) conducted in 1977 using the orbiter . Paired with pilot , Engle's team executed two key flights as part of the ALT series at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center: the captive-active flight on September 13, where Enterprise remained attached to the modified (SCA) to evaluate systems at altitude, and the free flight on October 12, during which the orbiter separated from the SCA at approximately 25,000 feet to demonstrate unpowered glide and landing capabilities. These tests validated the shuttle's subsonic handling, flight control systems, and landing gear performance on the dry lakebed at , providing critical data for the vehicle's aerodynamic stability and pilot interface without the risks of full orbital operations. Engle's first orbital Space Shuttle mission came as commander of , the second flight of the program and the first reuse of an orbiter, aboard from November 12 to 14, 1981. With pilot , the crew's primary objectives included verifying the integrated performance of the orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and external tank during ascent and reentry, while conducting in-orbit tests of shuttle systems such as the (OMS) engines and remote manipulator system (). The mission also carried payloads like the OSTA-1 package and the Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) pallet to assess thermal protection and . Despite challenges, including damage to several thermal tiles from ascent vibrations and a failure in one (RCS) pod that affected attitude control, as well as a fuel cell malfunction that shortened the flight from five to two days, Engle manually piloted from orbital —equivalent to Mach 25—to a precise at Edwards, achieving 90 percent of the planned objectives and marking the first post-flight turnaround for a crewed . The mission lasted 2 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 12 seconds, orbiting 37 times. Four years later, Engle commanded his second and final mission, STS-51-I, aboard from August 27 to September 3, 1985, with a five-person crew comprising pilot and mission specialists James D. A. van Hoften, John M. Lounge, and William F. . The mission's objectives centered on deploying three commercial communications satellites—ASC-1 for the American Satellite Company, for , and Syncom IV-4 (Leasat-4) for the U.S. Navy—using the Payload Assist Module (PAM-D) upper stage, while also performing the groundbreaking retrieval, repair, and redeployment of the malfunctioning Syncom IV-3 (Leasat-3) . Engle oversaw the complex operations, including two extravehicular activities (EVAs) totaling nearly 12 hours by van Hoften and , who successfully captured Leasat-3 with the , repaired its faulty attitude control system in the payload bay, and relaunched it into . This repair demonstrated the 's versatility for on-orbit servicing, a capability that influenced future missions. The flight concluded after 7 days, 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 42 seconds, with 112 orbits, bringing Engle's total career time in space to 9 days, 8 hours, and 30 minutes across his orbital flights. Engle's command of both and STS-51-I highlighted his exceptional piloting expertise, bridging the hypersonic suborbital realm of the X-15 with reusable , making him the only individual to manually fly winged vehicles into space on two distinct platforms.

Post-NASA career

Professional positions and retirements

Engle retired from active duty with on November 28, 1986, and from the U.S. as a on November 30, 1986. He immediately transitioned to the , where he continued his military service. Upon transitioning, Engle was promoted to major general in the Kansas Air National Guard. As a , he served as the Air National Guard assistant to the of the and concurrently as assistant to the commander of the Flight Test Center at , , overseeing state aviation assets during the late 1980s. He retired from the Air National Guard in 1991. Following his full military retirement, Engle worked as a consultant for , the primary builder of the , initially as a before transitioning into management roles. He also contributed to through various reviews and consulting efforts in . By the end of his career, Engle had accumulated over 15,400 flight hours in more than 185 different types.

Later contributions and personal life

After retiring from active duty, Engle remained actively involved in aviation education through speaking engagements and mentorship efforts. He delivered keynote addresses at major events, such as the Experimental Aircraft Association's Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet in 2017, where he shared insights from his pioneering career in hypersonic flight and space exploration. Additionally, in 2014, he returned to his alma mater, the University of Kansas, to give a lecture on the X-15 program, commemorating its 70th anniversary and inspiring engineering students with his experiences as a test pilot. His influence extended to youth aviation programs, exemplified by the naming of the Joe Engle Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol in Idaho, which fosters aerospace education and leadership among young volunteers in his honor. Engle also served on NASA's International Space Station Advisory Committee and acted as a technical advisor for projects. He represented Bushnell Performance Optics in promotional capacities. In his , Engle continued to pursue his passion for flying as a hobby, maintaining proficiency in private aircraft and even participating in events featuring historic fighters. He relocated to , , during his NASA tenure and chose to remain there in later years, drawn by the proximity to the and the enduring aerospace community. Engle's life evolved significantly after the of his first wife, Mary Catherine Lawrence, on December 12, 2004, following 48 years of marriage; they had two children together, Laurie and . He remarried Jeanie Carter in 2006, gaining a stepdaughter, Katharine, and often reflected in interviews on the challenges of balancing the demands of his high-risk career with family responsibilities, emphasizing the support of his loved ones as key to his success.

Death and legacy

Final years and passing

In his retirement, Joe Engle resided in , , where he maintained close ties to the community, including involvement with local organizations and events honoring pioneers. In his later years, Engle experienced a decline in health, passing away peacefully at his home on July 10, 2024, at the age of 91, surrounded by his family. A service was held on July 18, 2024, at House of Prayer Lutheran Church in , followed by interment with full military honors at in on March 6, 2025, where his career achievements were commemorated during the ceremony. Upon the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from , the U.S. Air Force, and fellow aviators. Administrator described Engle as an "aerospace legend" whose "courage and skill opened the door to space for all of us," emphasizing his unique role in piloting both the X-15 and . Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, a former Shuttle astronaut, praised Engle's mentorship and piloting expertise, calling him "the best ‘stick and rudder’ man in the business."

Enduring impact and commemorations

Joe Engle's career uniquely positioned him as a pivotal figure bridging the experimental hypersonic era of the X-15 program and the operational era of the , influencing key advancements in and . The X-15's hypersonic flights, reaching speeds up to 6.7 and altitudes exceeding 350,000 feet, provided critical data on reentry and systems that directly informed the 's , including the adoption of reinforced carbon-carbon panels and tiles derived from X-15's Inconel-X structures and ablative coatings. Engle's piloting of 16 X-15 missions, followed by his command of three flights—including the first orbital test of in 1981—facilitated the transfer of knowledge on unpowered glide landings and adaptive flight controls, with the X-15's wedge-shaped tail and blended control systems serving as precursors to stability enhancements. His firsthand experience across these programs also shaped pilot training doctrines, as the X-15 pioneered simulator-based preparation (10-20 hours per mission) that became standard for crews, emphasizing high-speed handling and emergency procedures. Engle's legacy extends to education, where he inspired generations of aspiring aviators and engineers, particularly as a role model for test pilots through his selection by for the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1962 and his record as the youngest military pilot to earn astronaut wings at age 32. In recognition of his contributions, his widow, Jeanie Engle, donated $150,000 to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation in June 2025 to establish namesake scholarships at the , his alma mater, funding merit-based awards of up to $15,000 annually for STEM juniors and seniors over the next decade. The inaugural recipient, Alexa Magstadt, a student, highlighted Engle's influence as an inspiration for Kansas youth pursuing careers, with the program also providing mentorship and networking to foster future innovators in line with his lifelong advocacy for . Following his death on July 10, 2024, Engle's impact was commemorated through official tributes, including NASA's special report released on July 14, 2024, which assembled archival footage, interviews, and mission highlights to celebrate his dual roles in and . Memorials emerged at key sites tied to his career, such as a dedicated page on the Reunion Association website honoring his X-15 test flights from the base, and a remembrance at the Kennedy Space Center's U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The Smithsonian's published a tribute article in July 2024, and its Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, featuring X-15 artifacts from Engle's era, reopened on July 28, 2025, potentially highlighting his bridging achievements. Additionally, a dedication ceremony in his honor took place on January 31, 2025, at NASA's Astronaut Memorial Grove, symbolizing his enduring growth in the field. As the last surviving X-15 pilot, Engle embodied the transition from Cold War-era experimental rocketry to the reusable , spanning decades of innovation from the hypersonic tests to orbital operations, and his continues to motivate explorers in and . His unique feat of qualifying for wings via suborbital flight and later commanding orbital missions underscores his role in advancing human frontiers, with tributes affirming his influence on subsequent generations of pilots and engineers.

Awards and honors

Military decorations

Joe Engle earned numerous U.S. Air Force decorations recognizing his exceptional contributions as a and operational aviator, spanning his early service in fighter squadrons to his high-risk hypersonic research flights. These awards highlight his valor, leadership, and technical expertise in advancing capabilities. The Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight, was bestowed upon Engle for his pioneering X-15 suborbital missions, where he demonstrated remarkable skill in handling the rocket plane at extreme speeds and altitudes. He received the medal with one , denoting a subsequent award for continued valor during additional X-15 test flights and Space Shuttle testing. Engle was awarded the multiple times for meritorious achievement in sustained aerial operations, including his combat readiness patrols in F-100 Super Sabres during the late 1950s and early 1960s, as well as his extensive duties at involving high-performance evaluations. For outstanding performance in non-combat duties, Engle received the with one , acknowledging his precise execution of experimental flight tests and contributions to programs prior to his NASA selection. Upon his retirement from as a in 1986, Engle was awarded the for exceptionally meritorious conduct in a succession of leadership roles, including his command positions in test operations and his overall impact on aeronautical research. Engle's higher-level service was further recognized with the Distinguished , presented for exceptionally meritorious service in advancing U.S. objectives through his test piloting and contributions while on . He also received the Department of Defense Distinguished for outstanding achievements in a position of great responsibility, encompassing his dual military and roles.

NASA and civilian recognitions

Joe Engle received the twice, first for his role as pilot on the mission in 1981, the second operational flight of the , and again for commanding the STS-51-I mission in 1985 aboard , which successfully deployed three communications satellites and repaired a previously deployed satellite. He was also awarded the for his contributions to the , including backup lunar module pilot duties for , and his work on development and testing. Additionally, Engle earned the with a star device, recognizing his two missions that accumulated 224 hours in space. In recognition of his pioneering spaceflights, Engle was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2001 at the , honoring his X-15 suborbital flights that qualified him as an astronaut and his command of missions. That same year, he was enshrined in the in , for advancing high-speed through X-15 testing and reusable spacecraft operations with the . Earlier, in 1992, Engle joined the Aerospace Walk of Honor in , celebrating his expertise across experimental aircraft like the X-15 and the Shuttle's . Among civilian honors, Engle was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame for his contributions to aviation as a native Kansan who logged over 14,000 flight hours in more than 185 aircraft types. He was also selected for the International Space Hall of Fame in 2014 at the Museum of Space History, acknowledging his dual qualifications as both an X-15 and Shuttle astronaut. In the engineering community, Engle received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Haley Space Flight Award in 1980 for his piloting during the Space Shuttle's orbital test flights. He was further honored with the University of Kansas School of Engineering Distinguished Engineering Service Award in 1982 for his aeronautical engineering achievements in research. Engle received several prestigious aviation trophies for his groundbreaking flights. These include the Harmon International Aviation Trophy, the , the , the General Thomas D. White National Space Trophy, and the Iven C. Kincheloe Award. Early in his career, Engle was recognized as the USAF Outstanding Young Officer of the Year in 1964, one of Ten Outstanding Young Men of America by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1964, and Kansan of the Year in 1964.

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