In a joint ceremony with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, on Friday, Nasa revealed the X-59, an experimental aircraft that is expected to fly at 1.4 times the speed of sound – or 925mph (1,488 km/h).

The aircraft, which stands at 99.7ft (30.4 metres) long and 29.5ft wide, has a thin, tapered nose that comprises nearly a third of the aircraft’s full length – a feature designed to disperse shock waves that would typically surround supersonic aircraft and result in sonic booms.

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[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 27 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This is a technology demonstrator to understand the acoustics of sonic booms. Passenger versions would likely look very different, just incorporating the information gathered from this project.

[+] Nougat@kbin.social -22 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Why, that is exactly what I said!

[–] 4am@lemm.ee 10 points 10 months ago (2 children)

No, you said it wouldn’t work as a passenger aircraft. You sound like a naysayer.

[–] Nougat@kbin.social -1 points 10 months ago

No, you said it wouldn’t work as a passenger aircraft.

I said no such thing. What I said was:

Any passenger plane based on this design is going to be very low capacity, and wholly unable to pull up to a jet bridge at any airport.

[–] eskimofry@lemmy.world -1 points 10 months ago

Actually, a lot of people including me would naysay even if it is viable. Because this stuff is for rich wankers who don't need another excuse to burn down planet earth in their search for the next money making scheme.

[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Any passenger plane based on this design is going to be very low capacity, and wholly unable to pull up to a jet bridge at any airport.

I was addressing this, that passenger designs based on this design may not look anything like this airplane. So the constraints of the demonstrator won't necessaraly carry over to the actual vehicles.