Flying from New York City to London up to four times faster than what’s currently possible may sound like a far-off dream, but NASA is exploring whether the commercial market could support travel at such speeds.
NASA recently investigated the business
case for supersonic passenger air travel aboard aircraft that could
theoretically travel between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (1,535-3,045 mph at sea level).
By comparison, today’s larger airliners cruise at roughly 600 mph, or about 80%
of the speed of sound.
The NASA studies concluded potential
passenger markets exist in about 50 established routes that connect cities.
Since the U.S. and other nations prohibit supersonic flight over land, the
studies’ findings covered transoceanic travel, including high-volume North
Atlantic routes and those crossing the Pacific.
NASA’s Quesst mission,
with its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft, aims to provide data to regulators that would help
change the overland supersonic flight rules.
“We conducted similar concept studies over
a decade ago at Mach 1.6-1.8, and those resulting roadmaps helped guide NASA
research efforts since, including those leading to the X-59,” said Lori
Ozoroski, project manager for NASA’s Commercial Supersonic Technology Project.
“These new studies will both refresh those looks at technology roadmaps and
identify additional research needs for a broader high-speed range.”
NASA’s Advanced Air Vehicles Program
(AAVP) is now moving into the next phase of the high-speed travel research,
which includes issuing two 12-month contracts to companies to develop concept
designs and technology roadmaps. The roadmaps will explore air travel
possibilities, outline risks and challenges, and identify needed technologies
to make Mach 2-plus travel a reality.
Boeing is leading the first team, with
partners Exosonic, GE Aerospace, Georgia Tech Aerospace Systems Design
Laboratory, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, and others. Northrop
Grumman Aeronautics Systems lead the second team, with partners Blue Ridge
Research and Consulting, Boom Supersonic, and Rolls-Royce North American
Technologies.
Each team will develop roadmap elements to
include airframe, power, propulsion, thermal management, and composite
materials that can hold up under high-supersonic speeds. They will also create
non-proprietary designs for concept vehicles.
“The design concepts and technology
roadmaps are really important to have in our hands when the companies are
finished,” said Mary Jo Long-Davis, manager of NASA’s Hypersonic Technology
Project. “We are also collectively conscious of the need to account for safety,
efficiency, economic, and societal considerations. It’s important to innovate
responsibly so we return benefits to travelers and do no harm to the
environment.”
Long-Davis and Ozoroski have been tasked
by NASA’s Aeronautics Mission Research Directorate and the AAVP to develop a
high-speed strategy. These conceptual vehicle designs and technology roadmaps
are key to developing that strategy.
Once the industry engagement phase is
completed, NASA and its industry and academic partners will decide whether to
continue the research with their own investments.
Top
image: Concept illustration of a Boeing high-supersonic commercial passenger
aircraft. Credit: Boeing
Brian Newbacher
NASA’s Glenn Research
Center
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