NASA brings transoceanic journeys to under 2 hours with supersonic passenger plane
He says he can get you from New York to London in less than two hours.
NASA is exploring the idea of a passenger plane that could theoretically fly from New York to London “four times faster” than today’s airplanes.
The passenger jet will travel at a speed of approximately 2 to 4 times the speed of sound.
Today’s passenger planes travel at about 950 km/h, or about 80% of the speed of sound.
Since the US and other countries have banned supersonic flight over land, NASA said it is exploring transoceanic routes over the Atlantic and Pacific.
RESEARCHING TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT SOUND EXPLOSIONS
Quesst, on the other hand, is investigating a technology to reduce the sound of aircraft in sonic booms for people on the ground.
“These new studies will both refresh views of technology roadmaps and identify additional research needs for a broader range of high speeds,” said project manager Lori Ozoroski.
NASA awarded two-year contracts to companies to develop concept designs and technology roadmaps outlining the risks and challenges that would enable travel at twice the speed of sound.
The first team will be led by Boeing and the second by Northop Gruman Aeronautics Systems.
“It is important to innovate responsibly to benefit passengers and not harm the environment,” Mary Jo Long-Davis, NASA’s hypersonic technology project manager, said in a statement.
