NASA unveils XB‑1: A leap towards noise-free supersonic travel
NASA and Boom Supersonic have revealed a photo of the XB-1 airplane, which has surpassed the sound barrier three times. This marks a significant step towards supersonic passenger flights that could potentially cut intercontinental travel time in half.
NASA, in collaboration with Boom Supersonic, presented an extraordinary photo of the XB-1 airplane. During tests over the Mojave Desert, the aircraft surpassed the sound barrier three times. It is the first civilian aircraft to achieve this, marking an important milestone in the advancement of supersonic aviation.
The photo was taken on February 10 using the Schlieren technique, which allows visualization of how light bends around differences in air pressure. This method, developed in 1864 by August Toepler, remains crucial in aerospace engineering. Capturing this moment required ideal conditions and the expertise of pilot Tristan 'Geppetto' Brandenburg.
Super-fast travel getting closer
Boom Supersonic aims to create a passenger plane that breaks the sound barrier without generating excessive noise. If the issue of noise pollution can be addressed, intercontinental flight times could be halved. A journey from Warsaw to New York could take just 4.5 hours.
The company has completed the testing phase and is planning to construct the modern Overture aircraft. Production is set to begin at a plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, with an annual production target of 66 planes. Airlines such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines have already placed orders.
The XB-1 airplane did not produce an audible sonic boom, which is crucial for the future of supersonic travel. Boom Supersonic intends to utilize the collected data to further enhance the technology, potentially revolutionizing long-distance travel.
If everything proceeds as planned, supersonic passenger planes could become a reality, offering faster and more comfortable travel options worldwide.
