Tech & Gadgets
The Future of Flight: Exploring the Science Behind the 90-Minute London to New York Hypersonic Jet
Imagine boarding a flight in London and arriving in New York just 90 minutes later. This seemingly fantastical concept may soon become a reality, thanks to Swiss startup Destinus. The company, founded by Russian-born physicist and entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich, is currently developing a prototype hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft capable of traveling at Mach 5 or faster […]
Imagine boarding a flight in London and arriving in New York just 90 minutes later. This seemingly fantastical concept may soon become a reality, thanks to Swiss startup Destinus. The company, founded by Russian-born physicist and entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich, is currently developing a prototype hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft capable of traveling at Mach 5 or faster – that’s over 6,000 kilometers per hour!
Destinus’ ambitious project aims to drastically reduce travel times by taking advantage of the low-drag environment found at altitudes over 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Their hypersonic aircraft will utilize hydrogen-fueled air-breathing turbojet engines for takeoff and landing, while relying on a separate ramjet rocket engine to reach hypersonic speeds. The result is an aircraft that’s half rocket, half plane, and net-zero carbon, emitting only heat and water vapor.
The company has already begun testing its prototype aircraft, with successful test flights of its second prototype, Eiger, at an airport near Munich. Destinus has also recently received €27 million in grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, which will help fund the development of a hydrogen engine test facility near Madrid and support research into liquid hydrogen-powered propulsion systems.
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However, there are still significant hurdles to overcome before hypersonic travel becomes commercially viable. The main challenges include the high cost of liquid hydrogen, the need for larger storage capacity onboard, and the lack of existing hydrogen infrastructure at international airports. Additionally, there is still much to learn about building aircraft that can withstand the extreme heat generated at hypersonic speeds.
Despite these challenges, investment in hypersonic startups is on the rise, with venture capitalists funneling millions of dollars into companies like Hermeus and Venice Aerospace. Airlines are also joining the race, with American Airlines committing to purchasing 20 Overture Jets from US startup Boom Supersonic.
As researchers continue to innovate and develop new technologies to address the challenges associated with hypersonic flight, it may not be too long before we can book a 90-minute flight from London to New York. The future of flight is rapidly approaching, and with it, a new era of faster, cleaner, and more efficient air travel.
Written by
Arthur
Tech & Gadgets, MaviGadget
Arthur writes for the MaviGadget Journal, testing the gadgets that promise to change your day and reporting honestly on the ones that actually do.
