NASA Explores Supersonic Jet for Ultra-Fast Transatlantic Travel: NASA is delving into the realm of supersonic travel with the potential to revolutionize air travel between continents. The US space agency’s Quesst mission, launched in 2016, is focused on designing an aircraft that minimizes the sonic boom caused when a plane travels faster than sound. The project has produced the X-59, a research jet developed by Lockheed Martin, which can fly at 937mph without generating an overly loud noise.
The X-59 aims to conduct test flights over US cities in 2024 to gauge public response to the sound, potentially influencing aviation regulations. NASA’s Glenn Research Center has recently explored the business case for supersonic travel, envisioning passenger jets reaching speeds between 1,500 and 3,000mph, drastically reducing transatlantic flight times. Current large airliners fly at around 600mph, making the London to New York route an eight-hour journey on average.
Boeing and Rolls-Royce have joined efforts to create a roadmap for the development of supersonic passenger planes, including design concepts. The goal is to innovate responsibly, benefiting travelers while minimizing environmental impacts. The announcement follows the relocation of the X-59 from its construction site to the flight line, marking progress towards potential trial flights later this year.
The concept of supersonic travel evokes memories of Concorde, the first supersonic airliner that completed the fastest commercial flight between New York and London in 1996. While Concorde was retired in 2003 due to operational and safety challenges, NASA’s pursuit of supersonic capabilities may herald a new era in air travel.
