Presentation: August 2021

This month's AE presenter: Kailash
Date of presentation: 16-Aug-2021
Subject: NASA's Quiet Supersonic Mission (X-59)
Description: In this month's presentation, Kailash talked about NASA's work on developing a quieter supersonic airplane.  For background, in the past, one of the primary objections to previous supersonic commercial airlines (Concorde, etc.) was the noise they produced both during takeoff and when transiting at supersonic speeds.  The goal of the X-59 project is to develop an airplane that lessens or eliminates these sounds.  

To accomplish this, several technologies are either being developed or are under investigation.  The main idea is to deal with reducing the sonic "boom" normally produced by a transiting supersonic jet, to a much gentler "thump" by modifying the way shockwaves form and merge.  This may reduce the noise from the 105 or so decibel boom produced by, say, the Concorde, down to about 75 db, which has been likened to a car door slamming 20 feet away.

Flight testing is expected to begin in 2022, and community overflight testing in 2024.  If it goes well, data could be released to regulators as early as 2027.

Presentation: July 2019

This month's AE presenter: Kailash Kalidoss
Date of presentation: 15-July-2019
Subject: The return of Supersonic Flight
Description: Kailash's presentation gave a brief overview of supersonic travel - what it means to consumers, the technicalities surrounding it, a history of the prestigious Concorde, its glory and shortfall. Most importantly, it captures a vision for the future, in the form of a company named BOOM which is developing next-generation efficient commercial supersonic aircraft.

Any flight performed at a speed greater than Mach 1.3 is deemed supersonic.

The Concorde was the most prestigious (and in fact the only commercial) supersonic aircraft to date. It was jointly developed by Britain and France and was in operation between 1976 and 2003. Due to operational, environmental, regulatory and design challenges, the Concorde could never scale in a big way. There were very few operational routes and its cost was exorbitant.

Following the fatal crash of a Concorde in France in 2000, and post 9/11 financial meltdown, the company, its funding, and unsustainable operations made the airplane defunct. It was pulled out of service in 2003.

There has been no replacement for this commercial supersonic aircraft to date. However, an American company named BOOM is trying to address this void in the aviation market. BOOM is capable of Mach 2.2 and is only slightly smaller than Concorde. Its design is futuristic and lighter through the usage of reinforced carbon fiber for most of its parts.

The company claims that it would operate at a per-passenger cost comparable to a subsonic business class ticket. Also, due to the better performance and a range of 4500 nm without a refuel, it opens many more routes across the globe. The traditional London to New York route that takes 7-8 hours in a subsonic aircraft can theoretically be achieved in 3 hrs. 15 min by BOOM. This 55-75 seat aircraft is looking to change aviation in the future.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HbJn3LAHc

Presentation: July 2014

This month's AE presenter: David

Date of presentation: 14-July-2014

Subject: An Introduction to the Concorde

Description: David gave a presentation that covered the science behind Super Sonic Transports (SST), the international relationships that made the project possible, operations and scheduled flights, and the end of the program. The Concorde was designed with a narrow delta wing to provide better performance and control during transonic and supersonic flight. Britain and France partnered to share the program costs in the 1960's. The program was an international effort which promoted national pride, on the scale of the US space program. British Airways flew twice-daily flights between London and New York. Air France flew once-daily flights between Paris and New York. The final flight was 26-November-2003. The program was ended largely due to lack of financial viability.