billvon 3,058 #1 March 28, 2004 A NASA test today demonstrated the first air-breathing aircraft to reach Mach 7. The X-43A was an unmanned test vehicle that was boosted to 3500mph by a Pegasus booster, then separated and flew under its own power for 10 seconds, reaching speeds of almost 5000mph. It used a hydrogen-powered scramjet engine. Scramjets are interesting because they can theoretically achieve speeds that allow easy insertion into orbit; they should be able to reach Mach 15 or so using air before needing to switch to a pure rocket. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #2 March 28, 2004 It was so neat to see that. Watching those guys in the control room laughing and clapping made me grin. This was a very huge success. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #3 March 28, 2004 Indeed. I was watching it on Fox News. nice to see that SCRAM jet works! My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #4 March 28, 2004 I'd heard they were going to test this thing, didn't know they were going to do it today. DAMN! that's fast! -------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #5 March 28, 2004 The scramjet is an awesome idea. I'm still waiting for the magnetic drive or the gravity drive. Maybe even the antimatter drive. Yea, I know, I'll be around 140 years old when they come into use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,101 #6 March 28, 2004 QuoteThe scramjet is an awesome idea. I'm still waiting for the magnetic drive or the gravity drive. Maybe even the antimatter drive. Yea, I know, I'll be around 140 years old when they come into use. I suspect you'll be older than that! Saves a lot of weight when you don't have to carry the oxygen with you (except in the booster in this case).... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #7 March 28, 2004 Billvon: Does that thing slow down for jumprun???? Bill Cole D-41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sneaky 0 #8 March 28, 2004 Yeah ... I was wondering te same.... hey any chance we`ll see it at Quincy in a few years alongside the usual line up ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #9 March 28, 2004 The only problem with that, is when you stick your head out the door to spot, its not your goggles that get ripped off, its your head. Bill Cole D-41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
storm1977 0 #11 March 28, 2004 Consipracy theories say the magnetic drive is already functional..... According to a show on Tech TV the Sweedish military detected an aircraft on radar at Mach 9. Almost one year to the date later they detected another aircraft on radar at Mach 12. Not sure I can believe it although I find it difficult to imagine the Blackbird built in the 50's and 60's with slide rules are still the fastest manned aircraft on earth ----------------------------------------------------- Sometimes it is more important to protect LIFE than Liberty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlindBrick 0 #12 March 29, 2004 I am not really a conspiracy theorist but I firmly belive that the USAF has some top-secret recon birds down Texas-way that make this thing look like a turtle. -Blind"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,058 #13 March 29, 2004 >but I firmly belive that the USAF has some top-secret recon birds >down Texas-way that make this thing look like a turtle. I think you're right, but I suspect those birds do 18,000 MPH for months on end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #14 March 29, 2004 When will we see this on the Perris Valley jump line? LOL!!!! j/k guys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #15 March 29, 2004 Quote>but I firmly belive that the USAF has some top-secret recon birds >down Texas-way that make this thing look like a turtle. I think you're right, but I suspect those birds do 18,000 MPH for months on end. ????~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #16 March 29, 2004 QuoteIt was so neat to see that. Watching those guys in the control room laughing and clapping made me grin. This was a very huge success. Ciels- Michele What do you do Michele that allowed you to watch all that?? Must be pretty cool! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #17 March 29, 2004 Is there video online? I missed it on the news."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #18 March 29, 2004 QuoteWhat do you do Michele that allowed you to watch all that?? My guess is she watches TV beween million dollar house transactionsRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #19 March 29, 2004 QuoteQuoteIt was so neat to see that. Watching those guys in the control room laughing and clapping made me grin. This was a very huge success. Ciels- Michele What do you do Michele that allowed you to watch all that?? Must be pretty cool! I'm guessing she picked up the remote and pressed the "ON" button, followed by some channel numbers, but she needed to know the EXACT channel number, or she'd be stuck with Bush (televangelist) or The Daily Show (news) Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,058 #20 March 29, 2004 >???? Spy satellites orbit at about 18,000 MPH, and I know we have new ones that can be launched on short notice to get coverage of an interesting area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlindBrick 0 #21 March 29, 2004 Quote>but I firmly belive that the USAF has some top-secret recon birds >down Texas-way that make this thing look like a turtle. I think you're right, but I suspect those birds do 18,000 MPH for months on end. I'm thkning more along the lines of Aerospike designs and that jet type that combusts the fuel on the ventral part of the fuselage. -Blind"If you end up in an alligator's jaws, naked, you probably did something to deserve it." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyThomas 0 #22 March 30, 2004 That sounds HELL-A-FAST! Thomas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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