[commish]

The PUBLIC record. Wording like that makes me wonder if there is a not-so-public record that is higher?

That sounds like what we were allowed to say when I worked as a mission programmer for the SR-71. Its speed was MACH 3+ and flight altitude was 80,000+ ft. Emphasis on the PLUS.

Don't know the actual altitude they ever got to, but I will say that I did see an SR-71 photo of a Space Shuttle Launch. The photo was taken right as the Solid Rocket boosters detached.

The photo was taken from ABOVE the Shuttle.

[Hot Tabasco]

I worked as a mission programmer for the SR-71.

Where and when was it built?

[Ozark Tom]

A-12 at 115,000? Over the curvature of the Earth? Separation at about 24 miles?

[gogeo]

Excellent. Thank you for that.