Latest news with #Concorde
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
NASA's X-59 supersonic jet could fly you from New York to Paris in half the time
In a major leap toward the future of high-speed travel , 's experimental X-59 supersonic jet is moving closer to its first flight and could revolutionize air journeys around the world. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nicknamed the 'son of Concorde,' the X-59 has successfully completed its initial low-speed taxi tests, marking a crucial milestone in its development. Designed to drastically cut travel times, the aircraft aims to fly passengers from cities like New York to Paris in nearly half the duration of current commercial flights . Its standout feature is the ability to fly faster than sound while minimizing the disruptive sonic boom, replacing it with a much quieter 'thump.' This advancement could pave the way for a new era of supersonic travel. NASA's ground tests bring X-59 supersonic jet closer to first flight On July 10, NASA conducted low-speed taxi tests of the 100-foot-long, 30-foot-wide aircraft at the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California. These tests involved moving the aircraft under its own power to evaluate braking, steering, and ground handling systems. Engineers monitored system performance in real time to ensure everything functioned as intended. The tests mark the final phase of ground trials before the jet progresses to high-speed taxiing and eventual takeoff. NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft Begins Taxi Tests Unlike earlier supersonic jets like the Concorde, the X-59 is engineered to reduce the loud sonic boom that typically occurs when breaking the sound barrier. This "quiet supersonic technology" is a key component of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of commercial supersonic flight over land without disturbing communities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If successful, it could lead to regulatory changes that make supersonic air travel more widely accessible. What's next for the X-59 With the low-speed taxi tests completed, the X-59 will now undergo high-speed ground testing, followed by its long-awaited first flight, expected later this year. During flight trials, NASA will collect data on performance, acoustics, and flight stability. The results will be shared with international aviation authorities to inform future noise regulations for supersonic aircraft. If the X-59 delivers on its promise, it could slash flight times between major cities to just a few hours. More importantly, it signals a turning point in aviation history by combining speed with sustainability and public acceptance. NASA's vision goes beyond breaking speed records. It is about reshaping global connectivity for generations to come.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
NASA's ‘Son of Concorde' jet that will HALVE flight time from US to London step closer to take-off with runway test
NASA's supersonic "Son of Concorde" plane which will halve the travel time between London and New York is zooming ever closer to take-off. The X-59 jet will even 5 Concept illustration of the X-59 shooting through the sky Credit: SWNS 5 Nasa and Lockheed Martin are speeding ahead with tests of the supersonic X-59 jet Credit: Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice 5 The 30m-long and 9m-wide plane has a sharp, stiletto-style nose Credit: Alamy When up and running, Nasa revealed it struck The X-59 moved around purely under its own power for the first time at US Air Force Plant 42 on July 10. Taxiing is the final stage of ground tests before Nasa can take it up into the skies - and the maiden voyage is chalked for later this year. read more in tech Over the coming weeks, pilots will gradually increase the speed on the runway - leading to high-speed manoeuvres when it will travel fast enough to take off. Engineers tested key systems like steering and breaking during the low-speed run through. Nasa said: "These checks help ensure the aircraft's stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected." The X-59 is the crown jewel in Most read in Science Instead, the X-59 will produce a much quieter sonic "thump". Currently, commercial passenger planes are banned from going at such speeds – if they were able to – over land in the UK and US on account of the noise levels. Near-supersonic jet that can fly London-New York at speeds 'not seen since Concorde' unveiled with luxury living spaces The 30m-long and 9m-wide X-59 has a sharp, stiletto-style nose that engineers believe will reduce the noise The space agency believes their new jet could fly from London to New York in three-and-a-half hours. Lori Ozoroski, a project manager at Nasa, previously said: "We had a commercial supersonic aircraft, the Concorde. "But it was limited during its flights that it could not fly, say into, you know, somewhere in the middle of the U.S. "You were not allowed to fly supersonic over land. 5 The jet's F414-GE-100 engine is mounted on top of the aircraft Credit: Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice 5 The X-59 has a sharp nose designed to reduce the sonic boom Credit: Reuters "So most of the flights were back and forth just over the ocean. And so again, that ban has been in place for 50 years, over 50 years in the US. "A lot of international countries as well have similar bans. "And so the whole goal of this research that we're doing right now is to lift that ban and set a speed limit for commercial supersonic aircraft rather than a speed limit." Lori added: "The sound level is more like – we've done studies – it's more like a car door closing, you know, across the street at your neighbour's house rather than the very loud typical sonic boom." Supersonic and Hypersonic Jets There are several types of hypersonic and supersonic jets. A breakdown of what's been happening in the industry and what's expected in the coming years. Talon-A Built by Stratolaunch Reported speeds of Mach 5 The first test flight conducted in 2024 Built by Nasa and Lockheed Martin Predicted max speeds of Mach 1.4 The first test flight in 2025 - but subject to delays Built by Venus Aerospace and Velontra Predicted max speeds of Mach 6 First test flight in 2025 Built by Hermeus Predicted max speeds of Mach 2.5 First test flight in 2026 Built by Hermeus Predicted max speeds of Mach 5 First test flight by 2030 Built by China's hypersonic plane programme Predicted max speeds of Mach 6 First test flight in 2025 Built by Hypersonix Launch Systems Predicted max speeds of Mach 7 First test flight in 2025
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
NASA's ‘Son of Concorde' jet that will HALVE flight time from US to London step closer to take-off with runway test
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NASA's supersonic "Son of Concorde" plane which will halve the travel time between London and New York is zooming ever closer to take-off. The X-59 jet will even break the sound barrier when it flies - but won't produce a sonic boom, thanks to its unique design. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Concept illustration of the X-59 shooting through the sky Credit: SWNS 5 Nasa and Lockheed Martin are speeding ahead with tests of the supersonic X-59 jet Credit: Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice 5 The 30m-long and 9m-wide plane has a sharp, stiletto-style nose Credit: Alamy When up and running, the aircraft will hurtle along at altitudes of at speeds of 937mph at 55,000 feet up. Nasa revealed it struck another milestone in the plane's journey toward the skies with crucial low-speed taxiing tests. The X-59 moved around purely under its own power for the first time at US Air Force Plant 42 on July 10. Taxiing is the final stage of ground tests before Nasa can take it up into the skies - and the maiden voyage is chalked for later this year. Over the coming weeks, pilots will gradually increase the speed on the runway - leading to high-speed manoeuvres when it will travel fast enough to take off. Engineers tested key systems like steering and breaking during the low-speed run through. Nasa said: "These checks help ensure the aircraft's stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected." The X-59 is the crown jewel in Nasa's Quesst mission - which aims to prove supersonic flight is possible without a deafening sonic boom. Instead, the X-59 will produce a much quieter sonic "thump". Currently, commercial passenger planes are banned from going at such speeds – if they were able to – over land in the UK and US on account of the noise levels. Near-supersonic jet that can fly London-New York at speeds 'not seen since Concorde' unveiled with luxury living spaces The 30m-long and 9m-wide X-59 has a sharp, stiletto-style nose that engineers believe will reduce the noise The space agency believes their new jet could fly from London to New York in three-and-a-half hours. Lori Ozoroski, a project manager at Nasa, previously said: "We had a commercial supersonic aircraft, the Concorde. "But it was limited during its flights that it could not fly, say into, you know, somewhere in the middle of the U.S. "You were not allowed to fly supersonic over land. 5 The jet's F414-GE-100 engine is mounted on top of the aircraft Credit: Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice 5 The X-59 has a sharp nose designed to reduce the sonic boom Credit: Reuters "So most of the flights were back and forth just over the ocean. And so again, that ban has been in place for 50 years, over 50 years in the US. "A lot of international countries as well have similar bans. "And so the whole goal of this research that we're doing right now is to lift that ban and set a speed limit for commercial supersonic aircraft rather than a speed limit." Lori added: "The sound level is more like – we've done studies – it's more like a car door closing, you know, across the street at your neighbour's house rather than the very loud typical sonic boom."
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
NASA's X-59 Supersonic Jet Could Take You From New York To London In Half The Time
The dream of significantly shorter transatlantic flights is rapidly approaching reality as NASA's experimental X-59 supersonic jet, dubbed the "son of Concorde," successfully completed its initial taxi tests. These crucial ground manoeuvres, which saw the aircraft move under its own power at low speed, bring the groundbreaking plane one step closer to its highly anticipated maiden flight later this year. On July 10, the 100-foot-long, 30-foot-wide X-59 demonstrated its capabilities on a runway at the US Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, marking a significant milestone in its development, NASA said in a press release. The successful taxi tests are the final series of trials before the X-59 takes to the skies, an event that could usher in a new era of supersonic travel, potentially halving flight times between major cities like New York and London. Imagine breakfast in New York and a mid-morning snack in London, a prospect that the X-59 aims to make a reality. Watch the video here: According to the space agency, the taxiing represents the X-59's last series of ground tests before its first flight. Over the coming weeks, the aircraft will gradually increase its speed, leading up to a high-speed taxi test that will take the aircraft just short of the point where it would take off. During the low-speed tests, engineers and flight crews monitored how the X-59 handled as it moved across the runway, working to validate critical systems like steering and braking. These checks help ensure the aircraft's stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected. The X-59 is the centrepiece of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight by reducing the loud sonic boom to a quieter "thump." Data gathered from the X-59 will be shared with U.S. and international regulators to inform the establishment of new, data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
Supersonic flight is on its way back. I went on board the first Concorde, where it all began.
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, I came across a conference hall with a plane in the middle of it. This hall is actually part of the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace, which is part of Paris's Le Bourget Airport and can be visited year-round. After a bit of walking around, I found the line to tour a Concorde. As a journalist, I was able to get a ticket for free. Usually, a "boarding pass" ticket for the museum costs between 6 euros and 17 euros ($7 to $20), depending on your age. I was amazed to find out this was actually the very first Concorde. Concorde 001, with the tail number F-WTSS, was the first prototype built and made its first flight in 1969. It was retired to the museum four years later. It was a bit disappointing that the interior had been stripped, but there was still a lot to learn. Information boards shared more about the history of this momentous airplane. For example, it was used to carry out scientific experiments during a 1973 eclipse, with cameras and windows installed in the roof. There were several flight instruments behind glass, and a chance to glimpse the historic flight deck. Concorde was the first airliner to use fly-by-wire controls, which means electronic signals are sent to a computer that processes the pilots' inputs. It was previously only used on military aircraft, but is commonplace today. The technology helped the A320 become Airbus's first major success. Concorde's cockpit also included a third seat for a flight engineer, and controls for the "droopsnoot" — a lengthy, pointed nose. Used to add aerodynamic efficiency, the nose could be drooped 10° for more visibility during takeoff and landing. Leaving the first Concorde, it was great to see the original colorful livery with the names of the manufacturers. The British Aviation Corporation and France's Sud Aviation jointly built and developed Concorde. (Mergers and acquisitions over the years saw the former become part of BAE Systems, and the latter part of Airbus.) Concorde was a symbol not just of national pride for the UK and France but also of international cooperation between them. Indeed, the jet's name comes from the French for "agreement" or "union." Meanwhile, work on the Boeing 2707, a larger and faster supersonic airliner, was scrapped in 1971. I crossed a bridge onto Concorde 213, the 17th one to be built. Just three more Concordes were made after this one. It flew from 1978 to 2003. Even though Concorde is a relic of the past, I liked how the differing logos showed how it lasted for decades, from the meticulous font of the 1960s to the bold and minimalist Air France logo of the early noughties. This plane was actually once painted in a Pepsi livery for an advertising campaign. Pepsi spent $500 million on a huge rebranding effort in 1996, adopting its blue color scheme. Sierra Delta, as it is known for the last two letters of its registration, was painted blue for two weeks in April of that year. The wings were kept white due to concerns over the fuel temperature. Air France needed special permission because the Concorde was only certified to be painted white, as darker colors tend to retain more heat. This time, there were plenty of seats on board to have a look at. They were behind glass, so I couldn't sit down and test one out. I already knew Concorde was relatively small inside, with its four-abreast layout, but I was still surprised that these seats wouldn't look out of place on one of today's regional airliners. Concorde could carry between 92 and 128 passengers, depending on the layout. Details like the exit signs and bathrooms were still visible as well. Walking through, I was again slightly taken aback by the low ceiling. Concorde's cabin height was just 6 feet 5 inches — an inch shorter than an Embraer E175 and 10 inches shorter than a Boeing 737. British Airways and Air France made up for the small cabin with top service. Seeing the full rows of seats, glassed off under dim lighting, felt eerie and almost somber. There was only one fatal accident involving Concorde, but it was hugely damaging. In July 2000, a Concorde crashed shortly after takeoff when it ran over debris on the runway, and tyre fragments ruptured a fuel tank. All 109 people on board were killed, as well as four people in the hotel it crashed into. As the investigation went on, all Concordes were grounded until November 2001. Concorde was ungrounded, but the plane's economics remained a concern. Concorde only stayed in service for another two years, with British Airways retiring its final one in October 2003. While the crash damaged the plane's image, Concorde's ultimate undoing was its huge operating costs. Its four engines burned huge amounts of fuel. Plus, its routes were limited by opposition to noisy sonic booms. The economics have since become notorious in the aviation industry. For example, after postponing its plans for a hydrogen-powered plane, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said in April that it wouldn't be competitive enough with other jets and hence risked becoming "a Concorde of hydrogen." However, supersonic airliners are on their way back. Denver-based Boom Supersonic has been developing a new supersonic jet called Overture. It's smaller than Concorde, expected to carry between 60 and 80 passengers, and would fly slightly slower at Mach 1.7. China's state-owned planemaker, Comac, is also developing a supersonic airliner called the C949, although few details are available. Boom's XB-1 prototype went supersonic for the first time in January — and made another major breakthrough. Boom announced in February that the flight didn't produce a sonic boom that was audible from the ground. It dubbed this "Boomless Cruise" and is thanks to a physics term called Mach cutoff. Esssentially, if the sound barrier is broken at a high enough altitude, the sound waves can essentially U-turn in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. Then, in June, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the Federal Aviation Administration to repeal a 52-year-old law that limited flight speeds over land, so long as there's no sonic boom audible from the ground. Overture has received 130 orders and pre-orders from customers like United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines.
