Scramjet 2002

The University of Queensland and Qinetiq develop hyper-sonic travel:

Travel Faster:

     In the twenty first century, speed seems to be of paramount importance. As well as improving the simple but inefficient turbine based engine systems that drive rockets and planes, scientists have developed Supersonic Combustion Ramjet engines (Scramjet) to allow much faster travel.

Scramjet Developmemnt:

     Scramjets improve on ordinary engines by eliminating the need to carry fuel oxidant. Instead of using oxidant fuel, they use atmospheric oxygen to burn out the fuel, making them more efficient and extremely fast. Scramjets have long been a theoretical possibility, but in 2002 Scientists at the University of Queensland, Australia and at the UK defense company Qinetiq successfully completed the first flight of scramjet vehicle. Although the test simply demonstrated the technology and not a practical engine system, the vehicle reached Mach 7, which is seven times the speed of sound.

NASA in Scramjet:

     Since then, the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) has been working on its Hyper-X program to develop scramjets into a practical technology, able to provide the thrust to propel a craft. It is believed the technology could eventually allow vehicles to reach Mach 15, reducing an eighteen hour flight from New York to Tokyo to just two hours.

Joint Project for Scramjet:

     In 2007 a joint project between the U.S Defense Advanced Project Agency (DARPA) and the Australian Defense Science and Technology Organization (DSTO) launched a flight that succeeded in reaching the hypersonic speed of Mach 10. the imminent arrival of these hypersonic airplanes will make the world a much smaller place.

Achievement:

     In 2004 the NASA X-43A Scramjet achieved a record of Mach 9.6, nearly 7,000 miles per hour (11,265 kph).

Quotes:

     "We..believe that a hypersonic airplane could be a reality in the not too distant future."

                                                             -Dr.Steven Walker, DARPA Tactical Technology Office 

Text Credit : The Internet Age | Scramjet | 1001 Inventions that changed the World

Science in History - Scramjet | Satellite Radio Communication 2001