Can we make supersonic travel quiet enough for the general public?
In short: For decades, the thunderous sonic boom has kept supersonic jets away from land routes. NASA is now attempting to engineer a low boom flight demonstration aircraft. By replacing the disruptive boom with a soft thump, this project aims to provide the data necessary to reopen supersonic travel for the general public.
NASA is working on a "low boom" flight demonstration aircraft to revive supersonic passenger travel. The project is part of the New Aviation Horizons initiative, first introduced in NASA's Fiscal Year 2017 budget. This project represents the first of a series of X-planes. It builds upon a legacy of high-speed research that dates back nearly 70 years to Chuck Yeager's flight in the Bell X-1.
The aircraft, known as the X-59, is designed to replace the traditional disruptive boom with a soft "heartbeat" or "thump." The goal is to gather data on public response to this quieter sound when flying over U.S. communities. This initiative follows extensive feasibility studies to determine acceptable noise levels across the country. The goal is to provide the industry with the data needed to open supersonic travel for the flying public.
NASA selected a team led by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to complete the preliminary design for Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST). Lockheed Martin will receive approximately $20 million over 17 months for this preliminary design work. During initial phases, the X-59 should exceed 630 mph while cruising around 43,000 feet. The project is being conducted under a task order at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The Lockheed Martin team includes subcontractors from GE Aviation and Tri Models Inc.
To test 'mission conditions', a flight will target 925 mph (Mach 1.4) near 55,000 feet. The X-59 will be accompanied by a conventional supersonic chase aircraft during initial tests to mask its sound. The chase aircraft will carry a specialized shock-sensing probe to collect measurements of the X-59's shock waves. These specific performance targets are critical because they mirror the conditions NASA intends to use for future flights over populated areas. Researchers will use these tests to evaluate how people respond to the new acoustic profile.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: NASA Begins Work to Build a Quieter Supersonic Passenger Jet
- Also: NASA Begins Work to Build a Quieter Supersonic Passenger Jet - NASA
- Also: NASA’s X-59 is about to break the sound barrier for the first time
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-nasa-begins-work-to-build-a-quieter-supersonic-passenger-jet.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Space agencies · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
