NASA designs supersonic passenger aircraft without causing explosions

The NASA launches a new super-slim passenger jet project that will not cause explosions like the legendary Concordes.

On Monday, NASA announced a $ 20 million deal with Lockheed Martin to develop a preliminary design for a low-noise passenger plane capable of flying at supersonic speeds. The manned pilot will use QueSST Technology to create a mellow sound instead of a supersonic blast.

NASA's first silent supersonic aircraft could take off in 2020. (Photo: NASA)

According to CNN, this is the first project in NASA's New Flight Awareness X series. "Targeted airplanes make the journey cleaner, safer and quieter while flying faster, and build a more efficient air navigation system, " said Charles Bolden, administrator NASA, said.

Supersonic explosions are generated from shock waves when the aircraft reaches extremely high speeds, breaking the "sound wall" . Shock waves cause sudden air pressure changes, which emits explosions that can be heard from a distance of several kilometers. NASA is working with engineers at Lockheed's Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, Calif., To suppress the supersonic explosion with the design of the aircraft. Some of the design ideas for NASA's low explosions include elongated fuselage, needle nose, triangular wings.

The transatlantic passenger plane flight ended when the British and French airlines stopped using the Concordes in 2003 because the aircraft was fuel-intensive, requiring special equipment and maintenance costs. high. The supersonic explosion caused it to be limited to flights across the ocean, where there were no inhabitants.

NASA expects the first half-year-to-date, zero-noise ultrasound project to be completed in 2020.