The American aerospace agency NASA is working on a supersonic passenger plane that will reach a top speed of Mach 4 – without any banging effect. That corresponds to almost 5000 km/h. This would significantly outperform both the famous Concorde and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane (3,540 km/h). The plane will be unveiled on Friday, NASA said.
From sonic boom to sonic puff
“The X-59, built by Lockheed Martin, is the heart of NASA’s Quest mission, which is intended to investigate noise and help reduce the sonic boom caused by supersonic flight to a supersonic puff,” the space agency writes and invites you out for the party. “The X-59 will roll out of the company’s Skunk Works hangar in Palmdale, California, on January 12.”
While you won’t be able to provide snacks for the big day, you’d be happy if “viewing parties” (in German: parties while watching together) took place around the world “in classrooms, from home or from another location.” After all, it is a “milestone in aviation history,” according to NASA.
Many countries ban supersonic flights
A flight from New York to London at this rate would take less than an hour and a half. So far it’s eight to nine o’clock. Such speeds obviously pose an enormous technical challenge – but also a legal one.
Due to the famous sonic boom that occurs when the speed of sound breaks, supersonic flight is not allowed in many countries. This is also the case in the US, where supersonic flights are banned for civil aviation. However, researchers have been working for decades to develop technologies that can limit the sound wave. NASA itself is also conducting research into the development of a silent supersonic aircraft in its Quest mission.
Transoceanic routes as a solution
Another solution is transoceanic flights. There are no sonic boom bans and therefore no speed limits over the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. NASA has identified 50 routes on which its aircraft can be used. She recently announced this when presenting her plans.
She also revealed the next steps: first, contracts will be signed with aerospace companies to promote the development of supersonic aircraft. American aircraft giant Boeing will lead a team working with highly specialized companies such as Exosonic, GE Aerospace and Rolls-Royce North American Technologies. Another team is led by the defense company Northrop Grumman.
It is currently completely unclear when the new supersonic aircraft will make its first flight. But it could still take a while. The first contracts alone to promote the development of the concept have a term of two years.
Used sources:
Soource :Watson

I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.