NASA moves into next phase of high-speed supersonic travel project

NASA (Washington, D.C., U.S.) has issued 12-month contracts to two U.S. aerospace industry teams to study technology for sustainable high-speed airliner designs capable of Mach 2+ under the research agency’s Advanced Air Vehicle’s Program (AAVP).

The teams, led by Boeing (Arlington, Va., U.S.) and Northrop Grumman (Palmdale, Calif., U.S.), are charged with developing technology roadmaps covering key elements including airframe, power, propulsion, thermal management and composite materials that can operate at high Mach speeds. The teams also have been asked to develop designs for concept vehicles.

AAVP “studies, evaluates and develops technologies and capabilities for new aircraft systems … to enable new aircraft to fly safer, faster, cleaner, quieter and use fuel far more efficiently,” according to the NASA website. The program has been exploring whether the commercial market could support travel at four times faster than what is currently possible.

The company recently investigated a business case for supersonic passenger travel through aircraft that could theoretically travel between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (1,535-3,045 miles per hour at sea level). By comparison, today’s larger airliners cruise at roughly 600 miles per hour, or about 80% of the speed of sound. The studies concluded potential passenger markets exist in about 50 established routes that connect cities. Since the U.S. and other nations prohibit supersonic flight over land, the studies’ findings covered transoceanic travel, including high-volume North Atlantic routes and those crossing the Pacific.

Moreover, NASA’s Quesst mission, with its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft, aims to provide data to regulators that would help change the overland supersonic flight rules. “We conducted similar concept studies over a decade ago at Mach 1.6-1.8, and those resulting roadmaps helped guide NASA research efforts since, including those leading to the X-59,” Lori Ozoroski, project manager for NASA’s Commercial Supersonic Technology Project, says. “These new studies will both refresh those looks at technology roadmaps and identify additional research needs for a broader high-speed range.”

AAVP is now moving into the next phase of its high-speed travel research, which includes issuing two contracts to companies to develop concept designs and technology roadmaps. The roadmaps will explore air travel possibilities, outline risks and challenges and identify needed technologies to make Mach 2+ travel a reality.

Boeing’s team includes supersonic aircraft developer Exosonic (San Jose, Calif., U.S.), GE Aerospace (Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.), Georgia Tech Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (Atlanta, U.S.), Rolls-Royce North American Technologies (Indianapolis, Ind., U.S.) and others. Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is leading the second team with partners Blue Ridge Research and Consulting (Asheville, N.C., U.S.), Boom Supersonic (Denver, Colo., U.S.) and Rolls-Royce North American Technologies.

“The design concepts and technology roadmaps are important to have in our hands when the companies are finished,” Mary Jo Long-Davis, manager of NASA’s Hypersonic Technology Project, notes. “We are also collectively conscious of the need to account for safety, efficiency, economic and societal considerations. It’s important to innovate responsibly so we return benefits to travelers and do no harm to the environment.”

Once the industry engagement phase is completed, NASA and its industry and academic partners will decide whether to continue the research with its own investments.

Editor’s Note: Supersonic developments will most likely impact lightweight materials like high-temperature carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) and ceramic matrix composites (CMC). Read:

• “Nanomaterials optimize performance of space-ready carbon fiber composite panels”
• “High-temperature composite 3D printing facilitates design, manufacture of deployable space structures”
• “Bridging the gap between CFRP and CMC”