X-43 Hypersonic Vehicle Technology Development
- Paper number
IAC-05-D2.6.01
- Author
Mr. Randall Voland, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Langley Research Center, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The successful Mach 7 and Mach 10 flight tests of Hyper-X /X-43A research vehicles in 2004 has provided a major, essential demonstration of the promise of airframe-integrated scramjet engine powered hypersonic vehicles. These flights were a crucial step toward establishing air-breathing hypersonic propulsion for application to space-launch vehicles and other hypersonic systems. While these flight tests demonstrated the capability of hypersonic air-breathing vehicle design methods and ground test techniques, additional technology development/demonstration is required to enable viable operational vehicles. The major technology hurdle remaining is the demonstration of the efficient integration of a low-speed propulsion system with the high-speed scramjet propulsion system. The focus of the proposed X-43C research vehicle is demonstration in flight of the critical technologies for turbine-based combined-cycle (TBCC) propulsion which integrates a turbine engine with a scramjet engine to provide a propulsion system capable of powering a vehicle from take-off to high hypersonic speeds. This paper summarizes the accomplishments of the X-43A program, and the plans for the proposed X-43C program, and their importance for achieving the dream for safe, efficient, and reliable space access with air-breathing propulsion, and hypersonic flight within the atmosphere in the near future.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-D2.6.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.