That old 50 mile definition of the boundary of space was set
by the U.S. Air Force in the late 1950s or early 1960s, back when the X-15
rocket plane was flying (or just before it began flying). They awarded
astronaut wings to USAF pilots who flew above 50 miles, and the U.S. Navy also
followed this protocol (there were one or two Navy pilots who flew the
X-15). My guess is that the USAF used statute miles for the
definition. -- Jason
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Title: Re: [USMA:30201] Re: SpaceShipOne
- [USMA:30180] Re: SpaceShipOne Jason Darfus
- [USMA:30182] Re: SpaceShipOne Chris KEENAN
- [USMA:30184] Re: SpaceShipOne MightyChimp
- [USMA:30190] Re: SpaceShipOne MightyChimp
- [USMA:30201] Re: SpaceShipOne MightyChimp
- [USMA:30206] Re: SpaceShipOne Pat Naughtin
- [USMA:30227] Re: SpaceShipOne MightyChimp
- [USMA:30231] Re: SpaceShipOne James Wentworth
- [USMA:30231] Re: SpaceShipOne David King
- [USMA:30232] Re: SpaceShipOn... MightyChimp
- [USMA:30244] Re: SpaceShipOn... Bill Hooper
- [USMA:30234] Re: SpaceShipOne J. Ward
- [USMA:30238] Re: SpaceShipOn... MightyChimp