[extropy-chat] NEWS:Nasa Mach 7 mission accomplished

[J Corbally]

They did it!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3575561.stm

Just watched it live on the ITV 24 news, but had to wait a few minutes for 
the confirmation.


>The US space agency, Nasa, has successfully flown an experimental 
>hypersonic plane over California for the first time.
>The unpiloted X-43A aircraft used a scramjet engine that could one day 
>usher in a new generation of space shuttle propulsion systems.
>Nasa said it briefly reached a record Mach 7, AFP news agency reported.
>The technology could one day pave the way for faster long-distance air 
>travel and cheaper access to space.
>The mission began when a B-52 bomber carrying the experimental aircraft 
>under its wing took off from Edwards Air Force Base.
>Once the bomber reached cruising altitude, the X-43A was launched in 
>mid-air, its speed initially boosted by a rocket.
>However, the 1,300kg wedge-shaped research craft then separated from its 
>booster and accelerated away with the power from its scramjet.
>The engine was designed to operate for just 10 seconds, leaving the X-43A 
>was to glide through the atmosphere, conducting a series of aerodynamic 
>manoeuvres for several minutes before it finally splashed down off the 
>Californian coast.
>The mission marked the first time a non-rocket, air-breathing scramjet 
>engine had successfully powered a vehicle in flight at hypersonic speeds.




James...