The Me 163 Komet first flew in 1941 and exceeded 620 mph, but its short powered flight and reactive fuel limited its effectiveness.
WHO:Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Germany)
WHAT:Rocket-powered interceptor exceeded 620 mph before becoming an unpowered glider after fuel ran out
WHEN:Jul 10, 2026 at 6:08 PM ET
WHERE:Germany
WHY:Its rocket-powered flight lasted only about eight minutes before it became an unpowered glider, and its reactive propellants made crashes potentially lethal.
