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NASA Tests X-43A

Posted by michael on from the need-for-speed dept.

An anonymous reader writes "NASA TV has live coverage of the launch of the X-43A scram jet flight. Hopes are that the unmanned vehicle will reach speeds in excess of mach 7-10. The last flight a few years ago failed." Stephen Watts sends this link for X-43A background information.

1 of 263 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not that fast by Moofie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You are wrong.

    A supersonic combusting ramjet is way way way incredibly more technically challenging than a regular ramjet.

    Managing the shock wave systems to provide adequate fuel mixing and ignition is only barely possible today with the biggest computer simulations on the planet.

    I don't know what you consider "revolutionary", but sustained supersonic combustion is a Really Big Deal.

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!