Technology
The Future of Supersonic Commercial Flight: Past Majesties and Emerging Technologies
The Future of Supersonic Commercial Flight: Past Majesties and Emerging Technologies
Motor swallowing the atmosphere, high and low, like the majestic Concorde once soared, where once there were whispers of another passenger plane capable of Mach 2 travel, the newest wonders of aviation have instead turned to the military and experimental realms. But is it truly a lost dream, or is there hope for the future of supersonic commercial flights?
Concorde: A Golden Era Briefly Shining
The Concorde, a symbol of awe and wonder, once tantalized with its promise of flying passengers at supersonic speeds. However, despite its undeniable charm, commercial supersonic travel is no longer a viable option. The downsides are clear: a seat on the last flight of Concorde fetched $20,000 (in today's dollars), a price point unreachable for the general public. Even the airlines found these flights unprofitable, leading to the retirement of fleets by both Air France and British Airways.
Barriers to Supersonic Flight: Noise and Regulation
One of the principal challenges to commercial supersonic flights is the noise they generate. Remember the thunderous sonic boom that resounded over the Washington D.C. Metro area as the Concorde approached the ground. This noise resulted in a ban of commercial supersonic flights over land due to the explosive sonic booms that accompany such flights.
The Controversial F-16 Incident
The F-16 incident is a stark reminder of the potential dangers. About a year ago, a Cessna 560 Citation V entered restricted airspace without responding to hails. Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept and were authorized to act at supersonic speeds, a testament to the intense noise and potential risk involved in commercial supersonic flights. This scenario would be undesirable on a routine schedule between cities such as Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
NASA’s Quest for Supersonic Quietness
In an effort to overcome these barriers, NASA and its partners like Lockheed Martin are pursuing innovative ways to mitigate sonic booms. They aim to reduce these booms from explosive thunderclaps to quiet thumps. The X-59 QueSST Quiet Supersonic Technology prototype has been developed to test these new designs, which could have significant commercial implications. For instance, the ability to fly at supersonic speeds anywhere would greatly enhance the commercial potential of such advancements.
Boom’s Supersonic Commercial Jet in the Making
Meanwhile, a company named Boom is developing a more aggressive approach. They have created the XB-1 prototype to test the technology for their Overture supersonic passenger jet, which is designed to accommodate up to 88 passengers. United and American Airlines have already pre-ordered 35 aircraft from Boom. Despite the excitement, the first test flight is not scheduled until 2026, and mass production is pegged for 2030. Still, this timeline highlights the industry's commitment to and hope for commercial supersonic travel.
NASA’s Efforts to Boost Supersonic Commercial Potential
NASA is pursuing another front in its research by investigating aircraft capable of Mach 4 speeds. This would dramatically shorten intercontinental flights. NASA, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and others, is capitalizing on the Quesst mission to explore advancements in propulsion, thermal management, and materials that can withstand such extreme speeds.
Conclusion
While the golden age of supersonic commercial flights may have passed with the Concorde, the dream isn't entirely obsolete. New technologies are being developed and tested to reduce noise and make supersonic flying more feasible. Passengers, such as yourself, can only hope that the dream will eventually become a reality, as the thought of watching the world fly by at supersonic speed is a tremendous feat of human ingenuity and one to be celebrated.
What's your preferred mode of travel? Do you think the future holds for supersonic commercial air travel? Share your thoughts in the comments section.