Supersonic Jet Breaks Sound Barrier

Flying from New York to Los Angeles in just a few hours. That's the dream that Boom Supersonic is chasing. On February 10, their experimental jet, the XB-1, zoomed through the sky faster than the speed of sound. This wasn't just any flight; it was a big deal because it showed that supersonic travel might be coming back. The XB-1 took off from the Mojave Desert and soared to speeds over Mach 1, which is about 761 miles per hour. NASA used special cameras to capture the shock waves around the plane. These waves are usually invisible, but the photos made them visible. It's like seeing the sound of a jet breaking the sound barrier. The XB-1 is a test plane for Boom Supersonic's future passenger jet, called Overture. This jet is designed to carry 64 to 80 people at speeds up to Mach 1. 7, which is almost twice as fast as regular airplanes. The goal is to make flying faster and more efficient. One of the biggest challenges with supersonic flight is the sonic boom. This is the loud noise that happens when a plane breaks the sound barrier. It can be so loud that governments have banned supersonic flights over populated areas. But Boom Supersonic claims that their jet doesn't make an audible sonic boom. This could mean that supersonic flights might be allowed over land again. The XB-1 is made mostly of carbon fiber, which is strong and lightweight. It also uses a special system to help pilots see the runway clearly during takeoff and landing. This is different from the old Concorde, which had a drooping nose. Boom Supersonic has big plans. They want to build a factory in North Carolina that can produce 66 Overture jets per year. They also want to use sustainable aviation fuel, which is better for the environment. However, there are challenges with this fuel, like cost and availability. But Boom believes that these issues can be solved. The XB-1 is just the beginning. It's a test plane that helps Boom Supersonic develop new technologies for the Overture. The company hopes to start flying the Overture by the end of this decade. This would be a big step forward in making supersonic travel a reality again. The last time people flew supersonically was in 2003, when the Concorde retired. Since then, no one has been able to bring back supersonic travel. But Boom Supersonic is determined to change that. They believe that faster planes can make air travel more efficient and affordable. They want to make it possible for people to fly anywhere in the world in just a few hours. The return of supersonic travel could change the way we think about long-distance travel. It could make it faster, cheaper, and more sustainable. But there are still challenges to overcome. We'll have to wait and see if Boom Supersonic can make their dream a reality.