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NASA is celebrating the fact that she recently photographed the shockwave interaction of two supersonic aircraft in flight for the first time by sharing these fascinating images.
The US space agency said the project was taking 10 years and was a milestone for the direction of its aeronautical research mission. The images shown at the top of this article were made during recent Schlieren Air-to-Background Background flights based at a base in Edwards, California.
These flights would have successfully tested an improved system for obtaining high quality images of shock waves. NASA said shockwaves occurred when "planes merge when they move in the atmosphere and are responsible for what we hear on the ground like a boom."
"We've never dreamed that it would be as clear, as beautiful," Dr. J.T. Heineck, NASA's physics scientist at the Ames Research Center, said in a press release. "I am ecstatic about the result of these images.
"With this improved system, we have significantly improved the speed and quality of our images from previous research.
(NASA)
In the tests presented in these images, the space agency reported using two T-38 U. US Air Force jet aircraft flying in formation at a supersonic speed of about 30 feet from each other. The T-38 flying behind is said to be about 10 feet shorter than the one in the lead.
"With exceptional clarity, the shockwave flow of both aircraft is visible and, for the first time, the interaction of shocks is visible in flight," writes NASA.
This work is part of NASA's efforts to make possible the commercialization of supersonic travel. Since supersonic flights are generally not allowed over land, the results of the Space Agency's test series will recommend new standards to replace existing restrictions.
As for the importance that these tests could have for the general public, the objective "is to be able to welcome eventually jets able to connect New York to Los Angeles in two hours".
Regarding the improved imaging system that captured the photos at the top of this page, the space agency announced that it would be used to capture "crucial data" to confirm the design of its X X-plane. 59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology.
"What's interesting is, if you look at the T-38 at the back, you see these shocks interact in a curve," said Neal Smith, research engineer at Aerospace Computing at NASA Ames Center.
"That's because the trailing T-38 flies in the wake of the main plane, so the shocks will be shaped differently, and this data will really help us better understand how these shocks interact."
(NASA)
NASA awarded Lockheed Martin a $ 247.5 million contract for the construction of its experimental X-Plane in April 2018. Once the aircraft is fully tested and found to be safe to fly in, it will not be used. national airspace, it begins to conduct "supersonic flights over some communities to measure residents". reactions "in 2022.
The X aircraft design is based on Lockheed Martin's preliminary design, which will allow an aircraft to be 94 feet long with a wingspan of 29.5 feet and weighing 32,300 pounds with a full tank of fuel.
Once completed and ready for the flight, the space agency announced that the aircraft would sail at an altitude of 55,000 feet at 940 mph and that its maximum speed would be 990 mph with a pilot in the cockpit.
"Data from AirBOS flights (Schlieren background air-air) will continue to be analyzed, which will allow NASA to refine the techniques of these tests in order to improve the data, as future flights may potentially unfold. at higher altitudes, "writes NASA.
"These efforts will help advance knowledge about the characteristics of shockwaves as NASA progresses to silent supersonic search flights with the X-59 and is approaching a major milestone in aviation. "
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© 2019 MLive.com, Walker, Mich. Distributed by Content Agency Tribune, LLC.
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