Mach 10 Free Flight of Hypersonic X-43A Slated for November

Posted on: Oct. 14th, 2004 || Source: nasa.gov | E-mail Article | Print Article

NASA aeronautics researchers are looking to conduct the final research flight of the hypersonic X-43A technology demonstration aircraft in early to mid-November, following review of data collected during a "captive carry" dress rehearsal mission in late September.

The final flight of the small X-43A research aircraft is targeted to sustain a speed of up to Mach 10, or 10 times the speed of sound (about 7,000 mph), powered by a revolutionary airframe-integrated supersonic-combustion ramjet or "scramjet" engine. This is a very high-risk mission, but if successful, the flight will set a new speed record for an aircraft powered by an air-breathing engine.

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