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Mach 10 X43A Flight Successful
Sector Bug writes "NASA's X43A research aircraft made its third and final flight today, firing its scramjet engine at Mach 10 (7,000 MPH) or close to it, setting a new record. "
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For all the shit theyve been through, NASA still fucking rocks.
Kudos to the Alpha geeks.
We bow.
no
I think you've figured out why the airline industry is pushing this technology. They could completely eliminate serving the drinks and peanuts and save beaucoup bucks.
Orbital velocity at an altitude of about 150 miles is about 17000 mph (approx 242 km altitude at 27000 km/hr...checked my memory on howstuffworks), so the rocket was going about 0.41 of orbital velocity. In other words, you have only 17% of the kinetic energy you need to maintain an orbit (since KE=0.5*m*v^2). Unfortunately, you have to reach sufficient velocity to coast to the altitude and speed you ultimately want while there is still enough oxygen around you to make the scramjet work. Interestingly, the geosynchronous orbital velocity is only about 7500 mph, but you have to do more work against gravity to reach that altitude.
TOS Warp or Next Generation Warp?
> Circumference of Earth at equator = 24,900 miles = 3 hours 33min 26 seconds
Please, if you get a scramjet of your own, take the extra time to go around the earth and fly above sea level! You'll enjoy the trip a whole lot more.
John.
Sad to see the "B" retire, but at least it will be replaced by an "H" It's amazing that the B52 in general has lasted this long. Says a lot about the design.
Try keeping a flame lit in a 7000 mph wind.
Its taken decades of design and testing to figure out the geometry of the scramjet so that it actually works.
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