NASA's Supersonic Aircraft Nears Liftoff, May Cut NYC To London Flight To 90 Mins
NASA's supersonic aircraft could shorten the travel distance between New York City and London to just 90 minutes. The plane that is being called the "son of Concorde" could become a reality very soon.
How's the development of X-59 going?
NASA's X-59 aircraft has been moved to the paint barn Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' facility in Palmade, California. Once the paint job is complete, the team will undertake final measurements of the aircraft's weight and its exact shape in order to improve computer modelling, StudyFinds reported.
The supersonic aircraft could fly faster than the speed of sound - almost twice as fast as the original Concorde aircraft. To minimise disruption to people on the ground, engineers are also attempting to reduce the sound of the typical sonic boom to a sonic "thump."
What's the next step?
In August 2023, NASA said that they have identified various potential passengers markets in about 50 established routes that connect cities. If realised, one route could witness flights from New York City to London four times faster than what's possible at the moment.
According to NASA, the move to paint barn was made on November 14. "The X-59¡¯s paint scheme will include a mainly white body, a NASA ¡®sonic blue¡¯ underside, and red accents on the wings," the space agency stated in a statement. "The paint doesn¡¯t just add cosmetic value. It also serves a purpose ¨C the paint helps to protect the aircraft from moisture and corrosion and includes key safety markings to assist with ground and flight operations."
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"We are incredibly excited to reach this step in the mission. When the X-59 emerges from the paint barn with fresh paint and livery, I expect the moment to take my breath away because I¡¯ll see our vision coming to life," added Cathy Bahm, the low boom flight demonstrator project manager. "
"The year ahead will be a big one for the X-59, and it will be thrilling for the outside of the aircraft to finally match the spectacular mission ahead," Bahm added.
When can we expect the first flight?
The aircraft is important to NASA's Quesst mission, with the first flight scheduled to take place in 2024. NASA will fly the X-59 over several yet-to-be-selected US communities and collect data about people's perceptions of the sound it makes.
Based on the study, NASA will send data to regulators which could lead to the adjustment of current rules that prevent commercial supersonic flight over land, with aimed speed between Mach 2 and Mach 4.
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Contemporary flights cruise at about 80% of the speed of sound (965 kms per hour). In comparison, Concorde had a maximum cruising speed of 2,179 kms per hour or Mach 2.04.
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