SCI/TECH: NASA's X-43 Hyper-X to Attempt Mach 10 Flight, page 1

posted on Nov, 11 2004 @ 09:26 AM

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NASA engineers are preparing the X-43A Scramjet-powered vehicle for a Mach 10 Flight, next week. The Nov. 15 flight is the third and final test of the X-43A Hyper-X program. The first attempt was unsuccesful; a malfunction occurred that caused the booster -with the X-43 attached to it - to go out of control. On March 27, 2004, the X-43 did reach its test speed of Mach 7, or seven times the speed of sound. On nov. 15, after some modifications to the vehicle, NASA hopes to break that record, and reach Mach 10.

Wired.com: NASA to Attempt Mach 10 Flight

Speaking at a press briefing, X-43A program manager Vince Rausch predicted success for Monday's flight. But he cautioned that the experimental nature of the program and the extremely high speeds could lead to unexpected results.

"There is risk in this program," he said. "We fully anticipate that we have reduced the risk at these levels, but you're never fully sure."

One of the risks is the possible overheating of the X-43A's leading edges -- its nose and the front side of its two tails. During the plane's second flight, air flowing around the aircraft at supersonic speeds heated the leading edges to 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures during the flight next week could go as high as 3,600 degrees, according to lead engineer Laurie Marshall.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Unfortunatelly NASA cancelled the follow-up program, the X-43C program, but I hope they can still prove the potential of scramjet propulsion with the Mach 10 flight of the A vehicle.

Related ATSNN News Articles
- NASA X-43 Hyper-X vehicle targets Mach 10
- X-43a hypersonic research vehicle reaches Mach 7
- Hyper-X: Return-to-Flight Planned

Related Discussions on the AboveTopSecret.com Forums
- X-43A flight this Saturday. (27th)
- EXCLUSIVE: Cause of X-43A Hyper-X Crash Identified
- The NASA Hyper-X Project

Related Websites
- NASA X-43 Program Website
- AboveTopSecret.com: NASA'S HYPER-X PROJECT AND THE X-43A
- Air-Attack.com: X-43 Hyper-X Program

PARALYZ

posted on Nov, 11 2004 @ 10:43 AM

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Can't wait to see it fly again.Hopefully after the flight,successful or not,someone else continues scramjet reasearch.

llama009

posted on Nov, 11 2004 @ 04:28 PM

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now if that does what genesis did at mach 10 it will make a nice hole.

Murcielago

posted on Nov, 11 2004 @ 08:14 PM

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Originally posted by llama009
now if that does what genesis did at mach 10 it will make a nice hole.

They dont save these crafts. After it goes mach 10 it then does some air meneuvers then splashes into the ocean to never be seen again. No data of its flight is stored in it, it all gets sent to Nasa.

Hopfully they show more of the actual scram engine working, unlike last time. Mainly because almost all of its data recorded on the short flight is classified.