Latest news with #Chofu
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Sounds Like Thunder, Flies Like a Ghost': NASA's 19-Inch X-59 Just Hit Mach 1.4 in a Shocking Japan Supersonic Test
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 NASA and JAXA successfully tested a scale model of the X-59 at Mach 1.4, gathering critical data for supersonic travel. and successfully tested a scale model of the X-59 at Mach 1.4, gathering critical data for supersonic travel. ✈️ The 19-inch model was tested in a wind tunnel, simulating real-world flight conditions for validating the aircraft's design. 🔊 The X-59 aims to replace the traditional sonic boom with a quieter 'sonic thump' , making overland supersonic flights viable. , making overland supersonic flights viable. 🌐 The project is part of NASA's Quesst mission, which seeks to revolutionize air travel by proving that quiet supersonic flight is feasible and socially acceptable. In an era where innovation is the cornerstone of progress, NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are collaboratively pushing the boundaries of aviation technology. Recently, in Chofu, Japan, a 1.62% scale model of the X-59 aircraft underwent rigorous testing, reaching astonishing speeds of Mach 1.4 within a compact 3-by-3-foot wind tunnel. This miniature marvel is not just a testament to engineering prowess but a crucial step toward revolutionizing supersonic travel. The data collected from these tests are invaluable, setting the stage for quieter, overland supersonic flights that could redefine air travel as we know it. Tiny Model, Full-Scale Stakes The X-59 demonstrator, a remarkable feat of engineering, measures an impressive 99.7 feet in length with a wingspan of 29.7 feet. However, the recent tests in the Chofu wind tunnel used a much smaller 19-inch model, representing just 1.62 percent of the actual aircraft. Despite its diminutive size, this model was subjected to airflow conditions matching the aircraft's anticipated cruise speed of Mach 1.4, equivalent to approximately 925 miles per hour. These conditions were crucial for collecting critical experimental data that could validate the aircraft's design. By comparing the results from these wind-tunnel tests with detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics predictions, NASA aims to confirm how the air will flow over the jet's slender fuselage and long, swept wings. The primary goal is to understand the behavior of shock waves, which, unlike in conventional supersonic aircraft, are designed in the X-59 to separate, resulting in a subtle 'sonic thump' instead of a loud boom. This breakthrough could pave the way for overland supersonic passenger flights, making them viable and socially acceptable. Terrifying Signal From Deep Space: New Detection Shows Traits Too Precise to Be Natural, Forcing Scientists to Reconsider Everything Milestones on the Road to First Flight The recent wind-tunnel experiments are just one step in a series of significant milestones for the X-59 program. In December 2024, a critical engine-burning test was successfully completed at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. This test marked the first time the integrated propulsion system was pushed to full power, underscoring the readiness of the X-59 for real-world conditions. Earlier, in October 2024, a preliminary engine shakedown ensured all systems were leak-free and operational. Progress continued with high-fidelity simulations in May 2025, which rigorously tested the aircraft's flight computer and subsystems. These simulations ensured that the sensors, control surfaces, and redundant computers could communicate seamlessly, simulating the high-altitude, high-speed missions the X-59 is designed for. As part of NASA's Quesst mission, these efforts are geared towards proving that quiet supersonic flight is both technically feasible and socially acceptable. Once airborne, the X-59 will perform community overflights across the United States, gathering public feedback on its muted acoustic footprint. 'They Just Rewrote the Future!': FAMU's Mind-Blowing 3D Printing Revolution Sends Shockwaves Through NASA and Could Launch Humanity Into Deep Space Unveiling the Future of Supersonic Travel The X-59 project represents a significant leap forward in aviation technology. The successful tests of the 19-inch model in Chofu are a critical step toward achieving flights that could potentially reshape air travel. By turning the dreaded boom into a manageable thump, engineers are not only addressing noise pollution but also opening the door to commercial supersonic airliners capable of crossing continents at unprecedented speeds. This innovation could provide future commercial aircraft designers with the tools necessary to revolutionize air travel without disturbing the peace below. The potential for overland supersonic flight remains high, with the promise of reduced travel times and increased efficiency. The X-59 is at the forefront of this journey, offering a glimpse into a future where lengthy flights become a thing of the past. The data collected from these tests and future community feedback will be instrumental in shaping regulations and guiding the next generation of supersonic aircraft design. 'Space Needs Nuclear Now': This New Global Race to Harness Atomic Power Beyond Earth Is Accelerating Faster Than Expected Data and Feedback: Paving the Path Forward As the X-59 moves closer to its first flight, the importance of data collection and community feedback cannot be overstated. The data gathered from wind-tunnel tests, combined with real-world overflight assessments, will provide regulators with the information needed to reconsider the current ban on supersonic flight over land. This potential change in policy could have a profound impact on the aviation industry, enabling faster, more efficient travel. The collaboration between NASA and JAXA exemplifies how international cooperation can drive technological advancements. By harnessing the expertise of both agencies, the X-59 project is poised to make significant contributions to the future of air travel. As we look to the skies, one cannot help but wonder: will the dream of quiet, overland supersonic flight soon become a reality for travelers worldwide? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (21)
The Sun
5 days ago
- Science
- The Sun
Nasa trials TINY supersonic ‘Son of Concorde' for 925mph flight in tunnel – but prototype airplane measures just inches
NASA researchers have been using a tiny aircraft dubbed "Son of Concorde" in trials to assess the impact of supersonic flights on residents. The tests took place in a wind tunnel in Japan measuring just 3ft by 3ft. 1 At present there is a ban on supersonic flights over land as researchers scramble to find new ways to limit the impact at ground level. The latest tests come after President Trump ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to scrap a longstanding ban on supersonic air travel across the US. He wants to replace it with a to-be-determined set of regulations that will allow faster-than-sound travel so long as the sonic booms it creates do not breach certain noise limitations. In an executive order signed in June, Trump directed the FAA administrator to begin the process of repealing a section of the Code of Federal Regulations that prohibits anyone in the United States from flying a civilian aircraft 'at a true flight Mach number greater than 1'. That regulation was imposed in April 1973, at a time when the British and French governments were jointly developing Concorde, a supersonic airliner that had a cruising speed in excess of Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound. Engineers from Nasa and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) completed the fresh round of supersonic testing using a miniature version of Nasa's X-59 quiet-supersonic experimental aircraft in the trials. The campaign was conducted at JAXA's facility in Chofu, Tokyo. It assessed how the aircraft's pressure signature, audible on the ground as a sonic 'thump,' will reach people beneath its flight path. The X-59 demonstrator measures 99.7ft in length with a 29.7-ft wingspan, but the Chofu tunnel could only accommodate the miniature model, which is just 1.62% of the real jet. Engineers nevertheless subjected the replica to airflow conditions representing the aircraft's planned cruise of Mach 1.4 – about 925 miles per hour. By comparing the wind-tunnel data with detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics predictions, Nasa can validate how air will wrap around the jet's slender fuselage and long, highly swept wing. Critically, it will also show how its shock waves are expected to behave. Unlike conventional supersonic airplanes, whose shock waves combine into a single, ground-shaking blast, the X-59's carefully sculpted nose and chine are intended to separate those waves. The goal is a brief, low-volume 'sonic thump' rather than an ear-splitting boom, opening the door to overland supersonic passenger flight, reports Interest Engineering. The Chofu tests mark the third time the model has entered a wind tunnel, following earlier runs at JAXA and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio. Researchers delivered 'critical experimental data to compare to…predictions", Nasa noted. The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA's Quesst mission, an effort to prove that quiet supersonic flight is technically and socially viable. Once airborne, the jet will make a series of community overflights across the United States so researchers can gauge how residents react to its muted acoustic footprint. Their feedback, combined with the aerodynamic and acoustic data now being amassed in wind tunnels and ground tests, will inform regulators as they consider lifting the decades-old ban on supersonic flight over land. A short history of Concorde – from Live Aid to sonic booms Concorde was used 40 years ago this week to allow superstar drummer Phil Collins to perform at Live Aid in London on July 13, 1985, then fly to the US – and appear at Live Aid in Philadelphia on the same day. Here is a brief history of the first supersonic passenger-carrying luxury airplane. Two decades ago the Concorde took its last-ever flight. It became supersonic in 1969, flying passengers from New York to London in less than three hours. It was the only aircraft in the British Airways fleet that required a flight engineer. Concorde needed unsustainable amounts of fuel and created very loud sonic booms. Then, in July 2000, a horror accident saw 113 people killed when an Air France Concorde ran over a small piece of metal while taking off from Charles de Gaulle Airport. It caused the tyre to explode and the engine to ignite. A year after the horrific crash, 9/11 majorly affected passenger numbers. Ultimately a combination of these events led to its downfall. By 2003, Air France and British Airways announced they would be retiring their fleet of Concorde planes.
