China's supersonic passenger jet reaches twice the speed of the Concorde, reaching nearly 5 km/h. Find out how this innovation could change the way we travel and drastically reduce flight times!
A Chinese company based in Beijing, known as Space Transportation, recently tested the prototype of a supersonic commercial transport jet that promises to reach almost twice the speed of the Concorde, the first supersonic passenger transport aircraft in the world. mundo.
The company, also called Lingkong Tianxing Technology, announced the successful test flight of the Yunxing, a plane the company says can reach speeds of Mach 4, or approximately 3069 miles per hour (4.940 km/h).
With plans to conduct a new engine test next month, Space Transportation hopes to have the first full-size commercial supersonic jet in the air by 2027. The company's ambitions mark a new milestone in commercial aviation, as it seeks to significantly reduce travel times.
The legacy of Concorde and the Chinese supersonic jet
The Concorde, which entered service in 1976, was a landmark in air travel, setting records for its supersonic flights. Developed by Sud Aviation (part of today's Airbus) and the British Aircraft Corporation, the Concorde was powered by Rolls-Royce Olympus engines, which allowed it to cross the Atlantic at speeds of over 1.330 miles per hour. Although the plane ceased operations in 2003, its impact and innovation continue to be a benchmark in aviation.
Now, Space Transportation is planning to surpass that record by designing a commercial aircraft capable of reaching Mach 4. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the Chinese company claims that the Yunxing will be able to complete the trip between Beijing and New York in about two hours, an innovation that could transform the long-haul flight experience.
Innovative features of Yunxing jet
In addition to its impressive speed, the Yunxing prototype offers other advanced technological specifications. Among them, the following stand out:
- Vertical takeoff and landing: This functionality allows the aircraft to operate on smaller runways, expanding operating possibilities and reducing the need for large airports for landing and takeoff.
- High altitude flight: The jet will be able to fly at approximately 65.600 feet (20.000 meters), a higher altitude than conventional commercial aircraft, reducing air resistance and increasing flight efficiency.
These innovations represent Space Transportationโs advancement in hypersonic aircraft technologies, an area of โโresearch that the company has been developing since its founding in 2018.
The mission of Space Transportation
Founded by Yudong Wang, Space Transportation was founded with the goal of developing space transportation systems and reducing the costs associated with space exploration. Since its inception, the company has achieved several milestones, including the successful test flight of the Tianxing I rocket in 2021 and the completion of the Yao-10 flight mission in 2022. In addition to technological advancements, Space Transportation has also raised Series A funding to expand its operations and research.
The company has an extensive portfolio of research and development capabilities, ranging from load analysis to structural strength and environmental testing. This comprehensive experience in the creation of hypersonic aircraft and rockets places Space Transportation in an advantageous position to revolutionize the supersonic air transportation market.
Future challenges and tests
During testing of the Yunxing prototype, Space Transportation analyzed critical parameters such as aerodynamics, thermal protection and control systems. The aircraftโs composite structure withstood extreme conditions, proving the designโs strength and durability during initial testing. The company also validated the prototypeโs flight control system, avionics and structural strength, reinforcing confidence in the design.
Despite the progress, the development of a Mach 4 supersonic passenger aircraft faces technological and regulatory challenges. In addition to environmental and safety concerns, the cost of developing and operating such aircraft could pose a barrier. However, Space Transportation remains optimistic and is moving forward with plans for further testing to validate the commercial viability of the project.
The future of supersonic aviation
If successful, Space Transportation could revolutionize the aviation industry by offering commercial flights at speeds that would allow the company to cross continents in just a few hours. However, there is still a long way to go before the company achieves this ambitious goal.
With further testing and improved technology, Space Transportation aims to achieve commercial flights at Mach 4, transforming air transport and setting a new benchmark for global aviation.