posted 04-29-2004 09:22 AM               

First American Astronaut Lost in Space Flight to Receive Memorial

On the morning of 15 November 1967, Major Michael J. Adams, USAF, launched on what was to become a flight into history. Piloting the number three X-15 on the 191st flight of this historic program, Major Adams was to conduct six space flight related experiments. This would be the first sub orbital mission for Adams, having completed six previous atmospheric flights in the X-15.

During the ascent portion of the flight, the first of a long series of small technical problems began to arise. Later during the Zero G and early reentry phases, more problems occurred. Mike Adams found himself in histories' first hypersonic spin. Due to the natural stability of the X-15 and Mike's excellent piloting skills, a recovery from the spin was accomplished. However, the terribly high G forces encountered during the spin had overloaded the ships' computer assisted aerodynamic and reaction flight control systems. When Adams applied control pressure to the stick and rudder, the commands were improperly translated to the control systems. The ship entered another spin. At this point, the dynamic forces were more than the ship could handle and Major Adams and the X-15 #3 met their end during reentry over the Mojave Desert.

At this point in U. S. Space History, not much mention was made of this event due to the recent loss of the Apollo 1 crew and the preparation for the upcoming Apollo 7 flight. Mike Adams and the 10th space flight of the X-15 program faded into obscurity. Adams did receive a small amount of recognition in 1991 when the Astronaut memorial was dedicated at Kennedy Space Center. All alone in a lonely corner of the stone Mike Adams' name can be found. There is however no mention of who he was or how he met his fate as the first U.S. astronaut lost during a space mission. The events in the California skies happened a long way from the action in Florida.

On May 8 2004, all this will change. A monument being constructed at the site where he and the X-15 came to rest will honor Major Mike Adams and his contributions to the U.S. Space Program. Spearheading the project is Eagle Scout Candidate John Bodylski and Maj. Greg Frazier, Aerospace Historian. Together with the help of dozens of volunteers, a stylish monument weighing nearly two tons will be erected. A plaque made of Inconel X (the material the X-15 was made of) will relate the story of the event. The location of the monument is in the desert wilderness, miles from civilization, and obtaining permission from the Bureau of Land Management for its placement was no easy task. In the end, the BLM really came through and is even going to donate and transport the required concrete!

The ceremony is of course open to all who wish to attend. The location is very remote however and those interested in attending must take this into consideration. The desert can be a harsh place and there will be no amenities at the site. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 PDT on 8 May and last approximately 20 minutes. Major Adam's family will be in attendance. A lunch will follow in a nearby mining community.

Images and stories of the event will be sent to collectSPACE for all to enjoy. A map will be posted soon on the Aerospace Archaeology web site XB-70.com.

posted 04-29-2004 06:34 PM               

And in this vein, I just discovered the magnificent XB-70, "the largest experimental plane in the world". Videos and crash recovery artefact on xb-70.com, including this very moving piece and on The Flight of the Valkyrie.

posted 05-01-2004 05:51 PM              

Second, that this recognition is being carried across the generatons by Eagle Scout Candidate John Bodylski for his Eagle Project. Well done John. We are grateful to you for this work

posted 05-01-2004 11:50 PM               

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Originally posted by FFrench:
...perhaps you would be willing to take along and /or read out any of the messages of support and tribute that appear on this site, including this message thread?

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posted 05-05-2004 08:28 AM               

Let us not forget that Mike Adams was SO TALENTED that after he graduated the ARPS he had the choice to go to either NASA as an astronaut or continue with the USAF and fly the X-15.

posted 05-08-2004 01:26 AM               

Construction began on the memorial for Major Mike Adams last weekend. Nearly 40 volunteers representing several orginizations gathered under the desert sun for the event. A very well planned out sequence of construction events unfolded and the project was completed ahead of schedule. All is ready for the public unveiling today.

posted 05-10-2004 02:08 AM               

Over 100 people traveled to a remote region of the Mojave Desert on Saturday to attend the dedication ceramony for the Michael J. Adams monument. Major Mike Adams, USAF, lost his life on 15 November 1967 when his X-15 lost control during reentry. He was the first American to loose his life during a manned space mission.

The presenters at the ceremony were Eagle Scout candidate John Bodylski and Major Greg Frazier, USAF Aux. The event opened with a presentation of the Colors and a Flag Salute. Frazier then told of the life and times of Mike Adams while Bodylski told of the story of the creation of the monument. He also offered thanks to all who helped.

Above: Dave, George, Brent and Dan Adams

Four members of Major Adams' family were present: George Adams (brother), Brent Adams (youngest son), Dave Adams (nephew) and Dan Adams (nephew). George gave a moving tribute to his brother and a heartfelt thanks to all who made this possible.

John Bodylski was then presented with a letter of commendation from the BLM presented by Mr. Hector Villalobos. The letter commends John for organizing a project with such important historical significance. It further thanks him for adding an important site of interest to the public lands.

Above: Dan Adams, Greg Frazier, John Bodylski, Brent Adams, George Adams, Bill Dana, Dave Adams and Scott Kaczorowski

Major Frazier then introduced a group of former X-15 mechanics and crew members followed by an introduction of Mr. William H. "Bill" Dana, the last man to fly the X-15. Bill spoke of Mike's contribution to the aerospace world and the importance of the X-15 program.

Above: Watching the Fly-By! Left to right: Dave Adams, George Adamd Pete Merlin and Dan Adams

Those in attendance then stood for a rendition of "Taps" followed by a fly over conducted by Major Ken Gonzalez and Captain Mike DeVoogt of the 68th Composite Squadron, USAF Auxiliary. They flew a beautiful red, white and blue Cessna U-206 for the event.

Following the close of events, many traveled to the Silver Dollar Saloon in nearby Red Mountian for some great food and conversation. A fantastic time was had by all.

We offer a final salute to Colonel Pete Knight who very much wanted to be at this event...

posted 06-22-2004 02:53 PM            

The location of the monument is in the desert wilderness, miles from civilization...

The adjacent area is hardly wilderness, either. Rather it is a very popular OHV recreation area that receives hundreds of visitors every weekend (except for summer, of course!). If the monument site was indeed located within wilderness, federal law would prohibit its construction, as well as the use of a truck to transport materials, as motorized vehicles are not allowed in wilderness.

posted 11-05-2004 01:50 PM               

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Originally posted by Last Chance Rand:
Sorry, I hate to quibble, but the monument is actually only a few minutes drive off of Hwy 395, near the tri-towns area of Randsburg/Johannesburg/Red Mountain.

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The good folks at the White House Saloon, The Joint, the General Store, the Silver Dollar, The Cottage...all know us by name. The day we insult Faith, Olga, Pat, ...is the day we give up the hobby.

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The adjacent area is hardly wilderness, either.

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Perhaps my partner in WMAA, Major Greg Frazier, took some poetic license in his description of the event. However, the fact of the matter is: The monument is about five miles away from the nearest toilet, water, food, gasoline, telephone, TV, clean sheets, etc. By "wilderness" we mean "no services."

The monument is IN FACT miles away from civilization. If you don't bring it, you won't have it. It is not so far out that you couldn't walk into town if you had to, but I daresay you probably don't want to. That said, Trona road is fairly well-travelled (I suspect there must be civilization in Trona as well). A visit to the monument is not dangerous, but the site IS remote. PLEASE keep this in mind.

"Last Chance Rand" implies that a visit is No Big Deal. Our feeling is that the site might be visited by aviation/space buffs unfamiliar with desert travel. Idiots all? Of course not. Will the odd family in search of the monument be driving a Dodge Caravan? We very much hope so, and we hope to give them a clue before they leave home.

Little-w "wilderness" might not fit a definition, but it conveys the idea, doesn't it?

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Rather it is a very popular OHV recreation area that receives hundreds of visitors every weekend

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On our last visit to the monument (September 2004) we were pleased to see that flowers and a small flag had been left and that there was ample evidence of visitation (literally thousands of footsteps!) The area was clean and litter-free. Sure, you could quibble that the flag and flowers are themselves litter, but we don't think so.

Speaking of litter - The area just east of the monument has been used as a dump for years. I personally have carried over 1,000 pounds of trash out, but there are thousands of pounds remaining. I'd ask that if you go, that you bring a trash bag and take some garbage with you when you go.

I've had email from visitors to the site from as far away as the Netherlands. We are thrilled at the interest in the monument.

Also, a piece about SpaceShipOne's second-of-two X PRIZE flights on NPR's Day to Day spent significant time on Major Michael Adams

"So who is this Mike Adams guy?" Heh!

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Rather it is a very popular OHV recreation area that receives hundreds of visitors every weekend

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posted 10-29-2013 01:31 PM               

The anniversary of May 8, 2014 also happens to coincide with the opening day of Spacefest, which will occur in Pasadena. It would be great if some tie-in to that event might be made as sometimes they have special side trips and things of that nature.

posted 08-15-2014 08:04 AM               

If there was a prize for the most isolated memorial to an America astronaut, the one for Maj. Michael J. Adams would win by a wide margin.

From Mojave, it's a drive of nearly 50 miles through the sagebrush and Joshua trees, around dry Koehn Lake, and through the old mining towns of Randsburg and Johannesburg before you reach the unmarked dirt road leading to the site. A half mile of bad road later, you arrive at the modest but heartfelt memorial to one of America's forgotten space heroes.

posted 11-19-2017 10:04 AM               

With X-15 historian and good friend Michelle Evans this morning at the remote point where Mike Adams' X-15 rocket plane crashed on returning from a suborbital spaceflight 50 years ago this week.

The display about the X-15 at the site is informative and impressive. Michelle led a moving memorial ceremony with Adams' family at the site this morning, followed by a fascinating talk in nearby Randsburg.