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What speed milestone did test pilot Scott Crossfield reach in November 1953?

He was the first to reach Mach 2, twice the speed of sound.

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  1. Mach 2, twice the speed of sound ✔
  2. Mach 1, the first supersonic flight
  3. Mach 25, orbital speed

Why: Only six years after Yeager first broke Mach 1, Scott Crossfield doubled it, reaching Mach 2.005, about 1,291 mph.

Huh, didn't know that: Crossfield reached Mach 2.005 in the rocket-powered D-558-II Skyrocket.

The dad joke
Why was Crossfield never late? He was always twice as fast as sound.
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References

Answer: Mach 2, twice the speed of sound. Only six years after Yeager first broke Mach 1, Scott Crossfield doubled it, reaching Mach 2.005, about 1,291 mph.

  1. D-558-II Skyrocket, NASA www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/d-558-ii-transonic-aircraft
    Crossfield made aviation history on November 20, 1953, when he flew to Mach 2.005 (1,291 miles per hour).
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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