The flights between London and New York, currently lasting 8 hours, could see their travel time considerably reduced. There NASA took on the challenge of studying the feasibility of journeys in hypersonic aircraft and thus making possible a standard journey between these two destinations in just 1h30. A major research phase which includes the award of a 12-month contract to Boeing et Northrop Grumman — two giants of the aerospace industry — to develop their concepts and develop technology roadmaps.
Flights up to 4 times the speed of sound
Current commercial aircraft fly at a cruising speed of approximately 900 km/hwhich equals Mach 0,8, a speed less than that of sound (Mach 1). At the time, the Concorde flew at Mach 2or more than 2000 km/h. The machines that NASA is studying aim to fly between Mach 2 et Mach 4i.e. until 4 times the speed of soundreports the American space agency in a communiqué. A technological feat that could revolutionize air travel, particularly on transatlantic routes, where regulations on supersonic flights are currently strict.
To do this, the NASA, Boeing et Northrop Grumman develop “ technology roadmaps “. Basically, teams will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with aircraft flying 2 to 4 times the speed of sound, while identifying the technologies needed to design them.
A silent plane
NASA wants to push the boundaries of aviation to the limits. With the mission Questshe is working on a technology allowing break the sound barrier without the sound of the explosion characteristic of supersonic aircraft, which led to the ban on this type of commercial flights in the United States. In this context, the project X-59designed to be a “silent” hypersonic machine, began its ground tests last June. If the tests go as planned, a prototype du X-59 should carry out its first flight by the end of the yearwith routes over American cities planned by 2025 in order to assess its noise impact on residents.
However, beyond the excitement surrounding these advances, it is important to keep in mind the environmental threat posed by supersonic aircraft, with fuel consumption that can be as high as 5 to 7 times higher to that of current aircraft per passenger. To be continued…
2023-09-26 06:03:05
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