The Next Generation Supersonic Transport is a supersonic transport (SST) being developed by the Japanese Space Agency JAXA. By comparison to the Aérospatiale-BAC SST Concorde, the new design will carry three times the passengers (300), fly at roughly the same speed (Mach 2), and have twice the range. The goal is to achieve a ticket price comparable to that of subsonic business class. JAXA expects to launch the plane by 2015. An 11.5-meter prototype was tested on October 10, 2005.
One of the most crucial factors in the commercial viability of a supersonic transport is the strength of the sonic boom it generates. The boom created by Concorde was powerful enough to prevent the aircraft from flying supersonic over land, thus eliminating many possible passenger routes (and contributing to the cancellation of Concorde's American rival, the Boeing 2707). Since the 1960s however, a number of techniques have been developed that may reduce the effect (see the sonic boom article). On May 9, 2008, it was announced that JAXA would collaborate with NASA to conduct joint research on Sonic Boom Modeling.
JAXA is also researching hypersonic transport (Mach 5.0+), though use for commercial aircraft cost competitive with current aircraft is not the goal.
Read more about Next Generation Supersonic Transport: See Also
Famous quotes containing the words generation and/or transport:
“... if women once learn to be something themselves, that the only way to teach is to be fine and shining examples, we will have in one generation the most remarkable and glorious children.”
—Brenda Ueland (1891–1985)
“One may disavow and disclaim vices that surprise us, and whereto our passions transport us; but those which by long habits are rooted in a strong and ... powerful will are not subject to contradiction. Repentance is but a denying of our will, and an opposition of our fantasies.”
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)