Possible QSST design by
Lockheed Martin
On the 26th November
2003, the Concorde landed on its final flight at Filton, Bristol in the United
Kingdom. 15 years later, the return of supersonic passenger air travel is one
step closer to reality; NASA announced a quieter supersonic passenger jet is
being developed…
The major problem of supersonic
planes is the famous “bang” when a plane breaks the sound barrier which can
create enough energy to burst windows. To solve this problem, NASA selected a
team, led by the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, to design Quiet
Supersonic Technology (QSST). “Developing, building and flight testing a quiet
supersonic X-plane is the next logical step in our path to enabling the
industry's decision to open supersonic travel for the flying public," said
Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission. In
order to make that happen, NASA plan to refine the design with a special
fuselage made up of large wings at the rear of the plane.
The objective is to
create a plane which can reach 2000 km/h. NASA will spend $20 million to
examine feasibility. This plane will be the opposite of its predecessor
(Concorde) as it is to be quiet and more environment-friendly. Another goal is
to make profits. Each ticket for a flight on Concorde cost around €6000, mostly
because of its fuel consumption. If this project becomes real, it will be
possible to reach New York from Paris in only three hours.
This project is part of
a huge 10-year plan launched by NASA Aeronautics with the aim of entering a new
era in aviation, with cleaner, quieter and faster planes. To do that, President
Obama recently promised federal support.
‘X-planes’ are still at
the research and development stage. The purpose of the research is to bring
back supersonic commercial flight but with reduced fuel use, emissions and
noise. Flights are expected to start around 2020.
Sources :
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/aeronautique/la-nasa-prepare-son-avion-supersonique_1342043.html
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