X-43A is ready for its test flight.
The Hyper-X program continues on with the second test of their scramjet engine. The first test ended with the test craft being ordered destroyed. This time the craft, X-43A, has been redesigned to handle the structural stress that the excessive speeds will put on the craft. The predicted risks of this test has been reduced but the X-43A’s propulsion and aerodynamic design remain unproven.
During the test, the 49-foot-long booster rocket will propel the X-43A to about 3,700 mph before the experimental plane detaches from the rocket and flies under its own power using a hydrogen-powered “scramjet” engine, the first such test of the technology.
The actual powered-flight is expected to last about 10 seconds and reach Mach 7 before gliding for six minutes and plunging into the Pacific Ocean.
The test will gather crucial information for engineers and scientists trying to make the X-43A NASA’s platform for reusable spacecraft and hypersonic planes, or those traveling above Mach 5.
It will be the first time aircraft have detached in mid-flight for hypersonic flight.
“We’ve never separated two vehicles going Mach 5,” said Leslie Williams, spokeswoman for NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center which is overseeing the test. “That’s just never happened. It’s a very risky thing.”
If the overall project is successful scramjets may be the new technology used in the construction of the replacement craft for our nation’s aging Space Shuttle. Scramjets will be looked at for commercial transportation but that won’t come for another 20 years after.
March 26th, 2004 at 12:33 pm
That’s, Uh, Fast
Work is being done at NASA on a vehicle called the X43A, which may have its first test flight this summer. It’s theoretically capable of…
March 26th, 2004 at 12:34 pm
That’s, Uh, Fast
Work is being done at NASA on a vehicle called the X43A, which may have its first test flight this summer. It’s theoretically capable of…
March 26th, 2004 at 1:58 pm
5000 MILES PER HOUR
I hope it works this time. This Saturday, NASA will make a second attempt to fly a plane 5000 mph. The last one ended in an explosion.NASA said Wednesday it hopes to reach a speed of nearly 5,000 mph, or…
March 26th, 2004 at 1:59 pm
5000 MILES PER HOUR
I hope it works this time. This Saturday, NASA will make a second attempt to fly a plane 5000 mph. The last one ended in an explosion.NASA said Wednesday it hopes to reach a speed of nearly 5,000 mph, or…
April 1st, 2005 at 5:03 am
it’s really a cool stuff..indeed!..
damn fast and very good for the civilian and defence purpose