On This Day in Space: NASA's Wingless M2-F1 Completes First Glide Flight on Aug. 16, 1963

Summary

On August 16, 1963, NASA's M2-F1 aircraft prototype successfully completed its first glide flight, demonstrating the viability of the wingless lifting body concept for returning piloted spacecraft to Earth. This achievement was crucial for NASA's research into alternative reentry methods and contributed to the development of the space shuttle program.