Scramjet test successful for NASA

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conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
3
0
Originally posted by: amdfanboy
So, why is this good ?
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FWIW,

"Scramjets operate at "hypersonic" speeds by burning hydrogen mixed with compressed air scooped from the atmosphere. There are no moving parts. Instead, sophisticated geometry in the engine allows hydrogen to combust with air moving through the engine at supersonic velocities.

At that speed, a molecule of air stays in the engine for just a millisecond. That creates an enormous amount of thrust -- the exact amount of which is classified -- for an engine which can be reused throughout the life of an aircraft.

In theory, such engines will push crafts beyond Mach 10 and, with the help of chemical rockets, escape Earth's gravitational pull and achieve orbit. That kind of craft would probably employ multiple propulsion systems including a turbo-jet to reach supersonic speeds, scramjets to take the vessel to the edge of the atmosphere and then chemical rockets to enter the void of space. "
 
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PowerMacG5

Diamond Member
Apr 14, 2002
7,701
0
0
Sweet, finally another step towards conceivable consumer space flight. :beer: to NASA. I'm sure they were disappointed by the spectacular failure of the Pegasus Booster Rocket when the first attempt was made, but now they can rejoice in success. Now we just need to create better materials to survive the massive amounts of heat generated at hypersonic speeds.
 
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Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
w00t! NASA is on a roll..

Glad to hear it was a success.
 
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Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
The vehicle used in Saturday's test will not be recovered from the ocean due to the high cost of such an effort.
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:Q

Treasure Hunt! :D

/grabs scuba gear
 
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