Post by glactus on Aug 4, 2011 0:36:52 GMT
The Zehst hypersonic transport plane
Aerospace group EADS, owner of planemaker Airbus, has unveiled its 'Zero Emission Hypersonic Transportation (Zehst), able to transport 50 to 100 people between Paris and Tokyo in 2.5 hours.
Zehst climbing to altitude
By flying above the atmosphere and using biofuel to get the plane off the ground initially, the group hopes to avoid the supersonic boom and pollution Concorde was notorious for, but when you are above the atmosphere nobody hears anything.
Looking at the Zehst
The plane, being developed in collaboration with Japan, is being primarily designed with the business market in mind and could carry 50-100 passengers.
The plane will take off using a regular turbofan engine, before rocket boosters kick in to start a sharp ascent, sending the plane soaring above the atmosphere.
Ramjet engines, currently used in missiles, will then take the plane up to altitudes of 32km as the plane cruises at speeds beyond Mach 4, or four times the speed of sound. After a gliding descent, the turbofans will reignite to enable landing.
To see video of the Zehst just click on the link below. Has sound.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h1PE7StoDE
Credits: Color image courtesy of EADS.
Space art by Glactus
Text by Wikipedia
Video by Youtube