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Is supersonic flight sustainable?
But sustainability experts say going supersonic would make it harder for the airline industry to reduce its emissions. Supersonic aircraft are estimated to burn five to seven times as much fuel per passenger as a regular aircraft, according to the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation.
Is supersonic flight more efficient?
Supersonic aircraft must have considerably more power than subsonic aircraft require to overcome this wave drag, and although cruising performance above transonic speed is more efficient, it is still less efficient than flying subsonically.
How much will supersonic flight cost?
On Thursday, United Airlines announced it was purchasing a fleet of 15 planes that can travel faster than the speed of sound. With a cost per jet of $200 million, the deal is worth $3 billion. If the order goes through, this would be the first fleet of supersonic passenger aircraft since the Concorde.
What environmental concern must be addressed related to supersonic flight?
Supersonic jets will also exceed the global limits for aircraft nitrogen dioxide emissions by 40\% and carbon dioxide emissions by 70\%, the study found.
Why is supersonic flight illegal?
At Mach 1.06, it was the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. Then in 1973, the FAA banned overland supersonic commercial flights because of sonic booms—a prohibition that remains in effect today.
What is the fastest commercial plane?
747-8 Intercontinental
The 747 is one of the largest commercial aircraft ever built, and the 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8i) variant wins the race as the fastest commercial plane in service today. This plane is as tall as a six-story building with a top speed of Mach 0.86. That’s equivalent to 659.85 mph.
How fast will boom planes go?
The net-zero aircraft will carry 65 to 88 passengers and cruise at 1.7 times the speed of sound at 60,000 feet (roughly 18.2 kilometers) in altitude.
Why did supersonic planes stop?
Concorde was retired from service in October 2003 after British Airways and Air France blamed a downturn in demand and increasing maintenance costs.
Is Sonic Boom bad for the environment?
A stusy into the effect of atmospheric condition on the sonic boom. The sonic boom minimization. The sonic booms produced by supersonic aircraft, SST-2 in particular, are among the most serious environmental impacts. The sonic boom propagation beneath the sea surface make us think of its impact on the sea animals.
How can we make civil supersonic flight economically viable?
New materials, advanced engines, and innovation in aerodynamics can render civil supersonic flight economically viable.
Is supersonic flight possible in the 21st century?
Given society’s increasing emphasis on environmental stewardship and concerns about the effect of air travel on climate change, can commercial supersonic flight become a reality in the 21st century? There are reasons to believe that sustainable supersonic flight is indeed viable—and in fact inevitable.
How much more fuel efficient are supersonic planes?
More than 50 years of technological progress enable quieter, more efficient supersonic aircraft. Indeed, current commercial aircraft are 80 percent more fuel efficient than the first jet airliners.
Is a new supersonic jet possible?
Fehrm adds that a new supersonic jet is achievable, but only “at the cost of three times higher fuel consumption per seat and nautical mile.” But some airlines – like Japan Airlines – clearly think that Boom is onto something.