The dream of making commercial supersonic flights as common in the future as they are today took a step closer to becoming a beach charter this Friday. NASA has formally unveiled its experimental X-59 aircraft, which is capable of breaking the sound barrier with barely a sound. That achievement overcomes one of the major problems for the use of hypersonic speed in everyday life.
The X-59 is the result of a collaboration between the US space agency and an aeronautical company Lockheed Martin, plans to make its maiden flight this year. A future full of activity awaits: As NASA announced at the presentation ceremony, the device will spend years flying in certain populated areas to collect data about silent supersonic flights, their effects and their reception in those communities.
It aims to pave the way for a new generation of commercial flights that can travel faster than the speed of sound and cut route durations in half: New York to London, for example, in just three hours.
“In just a few years we have gone from an ambitious concept to a reality. “NASA is in California.
The artifact looks like a futuristic, minimalist vision of a cross between an airplane and an arrow. 30 meters long and 9 meters wide, a third of its fuselage is made up of the nose, which is long and thin like a stork’s beak. Something that allows it, as Melroy explained, to prevent the accumulation of sound waves that cause the characteristic boom of supersonic flight. Instead, the flight of these aircraft produces “only a whisper”, he assured. Or, more often than not, the sound of a car door closing, according to space agency engineers.
Every element of its unique design is carefully thought out to minimize noise. From its relatively compact wings to the cockpit located in the center of the fuselage and the lack of a front window. The pilot is guided by images offered by a high-definition and augmented reality camera installed in the fuselage and displayed on a monitor inside the cabin, also high-definition. A single engine is placed on top of the ship to prevent sound waves from collecting under the device and causing noise. This aircraft will be able to fly at a speed of 1.4 times the speed of sound or 1,485 kilometers per hour.
NASA’s Quest project, of which the X-59 is a part, seeks to collect data that will allow air regulators to lift a half-century-old ban on commercial supersonic flights on land. This veto in the United States and other countries is due to the inconvenience to the population from loud noise crossing the sound barrier.
In the test flights, which will last for years, NASA will “share the data and technology gained from these missions with regulatory agencies and industry,” said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for aeronautical research at NASA Headquarters. The space agency in Washington said. To do this, it will fly over cities in the United States where data will be collected from communities to find out their perception of the device. “By demonstrating that silent commercial supersonic flights are possible, we want to open new commercial markets for American companies and benefit travelers around the world,” he added.
Following the aircraft’s launch, NASA will now focus on preparations for the debut flight, including testing the engine and its integrated systems. After your first takeoff and landing, the next step will be to complete a supersonic flight.
But, although it has taken a new step, the dream of commercial hypersonic flights still has a long way to go. According to NASA, improvements in aspects such as fuel efficiency or emission reduction are necessary to make these plans viable. “It has to be sustainable,” reminds the space agency.
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