Supersonic airplanes have always captivated the imagination, but the notion of an aircraft soaring at an astonishing nine times the speed of sound has remained confined to science fiction.
Texas-based company Venus Aerospace is determined to turn this fantastical vision into a tangible reality with its groundbreaking endeavor known as the Stargazer.
As reported by Travel and Leisure, this revolutionary passenger plane is being meticulously crafted to reach speeds of Mach 9, equivalent to approximately 6,900 miles per hour, making it possible to complete a journey from New York to Sydney in a mind-boggling 90 minutes.
Even the Concorde, the pinnacle of supersonic aviation, achieved a relatively modest Mach 2, translating to just over 1,500 miles per hour.
Stargazer to Fly Historic Speeds
To put this incredible performance into perspective, no aircraft has surpassed Mach 6.7 since the North American X-15 experimental aircraft achieved it in 1967, according to NASA.
Meanwhile, the iconic Lockheed SR-71, known as the Blackbird, came closest to this record by reaching a top speed of Mach 3.2.
Unfortunately, these accomplishments have been overshadowed by the astounding speeds rockets achieve, routinely breaking the Mach 9 barrier to catapult into low Earth orbit at approximately 17,000 miles per hour, according to Space.com.
Against this backdrop, Venus Aerospace aims to forge ahead with its ambitious Stargazer project, an aircraft powered by rockets that could revolutionize commercial air travel.
Rocket-Powered Commercial Aircraft
Although the Stargazer employs rocket-based propulsion, it will take off and land conventionally, using jet engines during these crucial phases of flight.
Andrew Duggleby, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Venus Aerospace, emphasized the impracticality of utilizing rocket engines at airports due to their high noise levels.
Instead, once the aircraft reaches altitude and departs from densely populated areas, it will rely on rotating detonation rocket engines (RDREs).
These RDREs will ignite and propel the plane with 15% more thrust to Mach 9 at 170,000 feet, a process that will take around ten minutes.
Contrary to expectations, passengers will not experience an excessively intense acceleration during this phase. Duggleby compared it to the force felt during takeoff in a conventional jet aircraft, where acceleration ranges between 0.5 to 1 g, similar to certain high-speed roller coasters.
The unique design and operation of the RDREs allow for this relatively moderate acceleration. Employing continuous supersonic combustion, these engines achieve remarkable fuel efficiency, signifying a significant breakthrough in aerospace technology.
In addition, Venus' very own heat transfer system will enable its aircraft to withstand high temperatures during hypersonic flight and contributes to quicker turnaround periods due to efficient inspection cycles.
Venus Aerospace stands among a select group of companies that have successfully constructed and tested RDREs, showcasing their pioneering expertise.
What's Next for Venus Aerospace?
Although static ground tests have verified the successful ignition of the RDREs, Venus Aerospace's next milestone is the flight of their first supersonic drone, scheduled for this summer.
Since 2020, Venus Aerospace has been developing the hypersonic aircraft concept, having raised $33 million to construct the aircraft.
This crucial step will provide invaluable data and further refine the technology before it can be integrated into the Stargazer.
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