Silent Sonic Booms and a Rocketing First
NASA'S X-59 and a first rocket flight
“If you want to grow old as a pilot, you've got to know when to push it, and when to back off.” - Chuck Yeager
On the Radar
NASA's X-59 Quiet Super Sonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft aims to revolutionize supersonic travel by minimizing the disruptive sonic boom typically associated with breaking the sound barrier. Featuring an elongated design, the X-59's design spreads shock waves to prevent them from coalescing into the loud boom traditionally produced when an aircraft surpasses Mach 1. Also, by flying at 55,000 feet - much higher than most airliners which typically operate between 30,000 and 40,000 feet - the sonic boom's impact diminishes. Farther away = quieter.
The noise level is projected to be around 75 Perceived Loudness (PL), akin to a car door slamming across the street. This reduction in noise could enable overland supersonic flights, significantly reducing travel times. A New York to London flight could take 2.5 hours at Mach 3, compared to the current 6.5 hours. However, the challenge of fuel efficiency remains, as supersonic speeds demand substantial fuel. Moreover, this quiet sonic boom technology may have military implications, contributing to the stealth capabilities of future aircraft by reducing their audible detection. Ultimately, the X-59 QueSST may pave the way for faster, more efficient, and quieter air travel, impacting various sectors worldwide. There isn’t any footage of the X-59 flying, so I’ve spent the past two weeks rendering scenes for the video.
The X-59 video will premiere tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, be sure to check the channel!
This week in aviation history
24 July 1950 - The inaugural rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida took place. The launch vehicle was named Bumper 8, a two-stage rocket. This rocket was made up of a captured German V-2 ballistic missile serving as the primary stage and a WAC Corporal sounding rocket acting as the upper or secondary stage. It took off from Launch Complex 3 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, tracing a ballistic route over the Joint Long Range Proving Ground in a low-angle atmospheric flight. The WAC Corporal climbed to a height of 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) and covered a distance of 200 miles (322 kilometers) downrange.
The Bumper Project was an initiative led by the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, with the General Electric Corporation taking the helm for overall accountability. The V-2 missiles, repurposed for the Bumper Project, were re-engineered to accommodate the WAC Corporal second stage, utilizing compressed air to detach the stages post V-2 engine cutoff.
Upon launch, the V-2’s rocket engine blazed for 65 seconds, propelling the rocket at a speed of 3,580 miles per hour (5,761 kilometers per hour) along a ballistic route. The rocket had a maximum range of 200 miles (322 kilometers) and could reach a peak altitude of 88 to 128 miles (142–206 kilometers), depending on the desired distance. When it struck, the rocket was plummeting at a speed of 1,790 miles per hour (2,881 kilometers per hour).
Following World War II, a large quantity of V-2 rockets and their components fell into the hands of the Allied forces. These were transported to the United States for further study, along with numerous German engineers, scientists, and technicians who were instrumental in the German rocket program. Simultaneously, the Soviet army captured some as well.
Bumper 8, stationed on a gantry at Launch Complex 3 of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, was maintained by the U.S. Army. The WAC Corporal, a liquid-fueled hypergolic rocket, was able to ascend more than 80 miles (129 kilometers) post-separation from the first stage. It was a creation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory located in Pasadena, California, and assembled by Douglas Aircraft. This rocket was responsible for transporting small research payloads to the upper atmosphere. It was used in the development of launch techniques and to fine-tune the high-speed separation of upper stages.
Currently known as the Kennedy Space Center, but colloquially referred to as "The Cape," the site was chosen to facilitate rocket tests over the Atlantic Ocean, thus reducing potential harm to individuals and properties. Being one of the nearest points in the U.S. to the Equator, rockets launched eastward gain additional speed due to the Earth's rotation - now you know!
In case you missed it
Helos don’t get a lot of love on my channel - maybe I should change that? Here’s a video all about the Apache:
Photo Outlet
I published this and forgot to include a photo here, stay tuned next week for two photos!
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That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. Now you know!
-Tog