Everything you have to find out about NASA’s new 900mph ‘Son of Concorde’ supersonic jet
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NASA’s new 900mph ‘Son of Concorde’ jet could bring back supersonic flights by 2029, slashing London to New York travel times to under four hours
NASA is building a cutting-edge supersonic jet called the X-59 QueSST(Image: NASA/SWNS)
- British holidaymakers could soon fly across the Atlantic in under four hours, which is quicker than a flight to the Canary Islands. The massive time-saving is all thanks to a revolutionary new aircraft currently being developed.
- NASA is building a cutting-edge supersonic jet called the X-59 QueSST, which has been nicknamed the “Son of Concorde.” The high-tech plane is engineered to fly at staggering speeds of over 900mph, which is 300mph faster than current commercial airliners.
- The incredible speed could slash the flight time between London and New York down to just three hours and 45 minutes. Right now, the same transatlantic journey drags on for an average of seven and a half hours.
- The game-changing aircraft is currently gearing up for vital test flights to see how it handles high speeds. Technicians will initially push the jet past 630mph at an altitude of 43,000 feet before attempting even faster “mission conditions.”
- If the upcoming flight trials go completely to plan, commercial supersonic travel could make a massive comeback by 2029. Up until now, NASA’s rigorous testing of the jet has been limited to wind tunnels and slower flights.
- Unlike older supersonic planes that caused window-rattling noise complaints, the X-59 is designed to bypass the traditional loud sonic boom. Even when breaking the sound barrier, the jet’s ultra-sleek shape completely muffles the noise.
- Instead of a deafening explosion, the aircraft will only make a quiet “sonic thump” when it flies overhead. Experts say the muffled sound will actually be about as loud as a car door closing.
- The jet’s nickname pays tribute to the original Concorde, which stopped flying in 2003 after a tragic crash, high running costs and dropping ticket sales. While the old Concorde unleashed thunderous booms that shook communities below, NASA is aiming for a much quieter flying revolution this time around.
- Read the full article here: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/nasas-son-concorde-blast-brits-37245164
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