As the 20th anniversary of Concorde's final flight approaches, the world of ultrafast air travel is poised to enter a new phase. It is poised on the verge of&nbsp;a revolution in aviation, with suborbital and supersonic technologies offering the potential to dramatically reduce global travel times, ushering in a new era of&nbsp;air travel.

Concorde, the first supersonic commercial airliner, was renowned for its remarkable speed, allowing passengers to travel from New York to London in under three hours. However, the high maintenance costs and a high-profile crash in 2000 eventually led to the end of Concorde&nbsp;era.

<h2>Son of Concorde and the future</h2>

Now, NASA's X-59, nicknamed "Son of Concorde"&nbsp;has caught the spotlight with its experimental supersonic aircraft.&nbsp;

The supersonic aircraft, as per a New York Post, may soon be ready for its first test flights, which can potentially reduce the New York to London journey time to about three and a half hours.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-3-successfully-completes-final-earth-orbit-raising-manoeuvre-isro-619262">Chandrayaan-3 successfully completes final Earth orbit-raising manoeuvre: ISRO</a>

While smaller and slower than its predecessor, the X-59 can still reach speeds of 925 mph.&nbsp;

<h2>'Earth to Earth' flights</h2>

While impressive, X-59 is not "it". As per the report, even more, groundbreaking advancements are on the horizon.&nbsp;

According to recent research by Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a flight from London to Sydney, which currently takes 22 hours, could be reduced to just two hours by 2033.&nbsp;

The answer lies in suborbital "Earth to Earth" flights that use rockets to propel passengers up to 125 miles into space at speeds exceeding 3,500 mph. Using rockets similar to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic jet programs, the craft then rapidly descends to the final destination, thereby significantly cutting journey times.

Aviation moguls, and visionaries like Elon Musk, are already investing in suborbital travel.&nbsp;

Musk's SpaceX's in 2020 revealed plans for its Starship rocket to transport 100 passengers between continents in less than an hour.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/webb-telescope-detects-presence-of-water-in-inner-disk-around-young-star-research-619251">Webb Telescope detects presence of water in inner disk around young star: Research</a>

Not only this, recently Chinese company Space Transportation also announced that it intends to conduct suborbital testing with its reusable "rocket with wings," aiming for a test flight by 2024 and a crewed flight by 2025.

They estimate that their suborbital spacecraft called Tianxing I can potentially complete a 4,300-mile (6,920 kilometres) trip in about an hour. &nbsp;

<h2>Potential market and the risks</h2>

The potential market for suborbital flights is immense. As per Switzerland's UBS, if just 5 per cent of the 150 million annual flights lasting over 10 hours transitioned to point-to-point suborbital space travel, the market could exceed $20 billion per year.&nbsp;

UBS estimates that the total value of the subsonic market could reach $805 billion by 2030.

However, despite the prospects, suborbital flights face numerous challenges. Safety remains paramount, particularly given the higher risks associated with rocket propulsion fuels like the liquified natural gas used by Blue Origin, or the liquid oxygen and liquid methane used by Starship — which are more prone to exploding than typical aviation fuel.&nbsp;

Environmental concerns also surround rocket-propelled aircraft, reports New York Post, as their emissions are under little or no regulations.

Another major concern revolves around the impact of G-forces on the human body during launch and reentry. As per Dr Ryan Anderton, the medical lead of the Civil Aviation Authority's space team, While suborbital journeys will be relatively short, "the main challenge faced will be the exposure to G-forces on launch and reentry."&nbsp;

Talking to the post, he said: We know this can affect the flow of blood around the body and to the head and it can sometimes generate abnormal heart rhythms."

&nbsp;

As the 20th anniversary of Concorde's final flight approaches, the world of ultrafast air travel is poised to enter a new phase. It is poised on the verge of a revolution in aviation, with suborbital and supersonic technologies offering the potential to dramatically reduce global travel times, ushering in a new era of air travel.

As the 20th anniversary of Concorde's final flight approaches, the world of ultrafast air travel is poised to enter a new phase. It is poised on the verge of a revolution in aviation, with suborbital and supersonic technologies offering the potential to dramatically reduce global travel times, ushering in a new era of air travel. Concorde, the first supersonic commercial airliner, was renowned for its remarkable speed, allowing passengers to travel from New York to London in under three hours. However, the high maintenance costs and a high-profile crash in 2000 eventually led to the end of Concorde era. Son of Concorde and the future Now, NASA's X-59, nicknamed "Son of Concorde" has caught the spotlight with its experimental supersonic aircraft. The supersonic aircraft, as per a New York Post, may soon be ready for its first test flights, which can potentially reduce the New York to London journey time to about three and a half hours. Also read | Chandrayaan-3 successfully completes final Earth orbit-raising manoeuvre: ISRO While smaller and slower than its predecessor, the X-59 can still reach speeds of 925 mph. 'Earth to Earth' flights While impressive, X-59 is not "it". As per the report, even more, groundbreaking advancements are on the horizon. According to recent research by Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a flight from London to Sydney, which currently takes 22 hours, could be reduced to just two hours by 2033. The answer lies in suborbital "Earth to Earth" flights that use rockets to propel passengers up to 125 miles into space at speeds exceeding 3,500 mph. Using rockets similar to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic jet programs, the craft then rapidly descends to the final destination, thereby significantly cutting journey times. Aviation moguls, and visionaries like Elon Musk, are already investing in suborbital travel. Musk's SpaceX's in 2020 revealed plans for its Starship rocket to transport 100 passengers between continents in less than an hour. Also read | Webb Telescope detects presence of water in inner disk around young star: Research Not only this, recently Chinese company Space Transportation also announced that it intends to conduct suborbital testing with its reusable "rocket with wings," aiming for a test flight by 2024 and a crewed flight by 2025. They estimate that their suborbital spacecraft called Tianxing I can potentially complete a 4,300-mile (6,920 kilometres) trip in about an hour. Potential market and the risks The potential market for suborbital flights is immense. As per Switzerland's UBS, if just 5 per cent of the 150 million annual flights lasting over 10 hours transitioned to point-to-point suborbital space travel, the market could exceed $20 billion per year. UBS estimates that the total value of the subsonic market could reach $805 billion by 2030. However, despite the prospects, suborbital flights face numerous challenges. Safety remains paramount, particularly given the higher risks associated with rocket propulsion fuels like the liquified natural gas used by Blue Origin, or the liquid oxygen and liquid methane used by Starship — which are more prone to exploding than typical aviation fuel. Environmental concerns also surround rocket-propelled aircraft, reports New York Post, as their emissions are under little or no regulations. Another major concern revolves around the impact of G-forces on the human body during launch and reentry. As per Dr Ryan Anderton, the medical lead of the Civil Aviation Authority's space team, While suborbital journeys will be relatively short, "the main challenge faced will be the exposure to G-forces on launch and reentry." Talking to the post, he said: We know this can affect the flow of blood around the body and to the head and it can sometimes generate abnormal heart rhythms."

Ultrafast air travel soon? NASA's supersonic X-59 and suborbital rockets lead the way

The era of supersonic commercial flights came to an end when the Concorde completed its last trip between New York and London in 2003, but the allure of ultrafast air travel never quite died out.

President Joe Biden mused about supersonic flights when discussing his infrastructure plan in April. And on Thursday, United Airlines said it was ordering 15 jets that can travel faster than the speed of sound from Boom Supersonic, a startup in Denver. The airline said it had an option to increase its order by up to 35 planes.

Boom, which has raised $270 million from venture capital firms and other investors, said it planned to introduce aircraft in 2025 and start flight tests in 2026. It expects the plane, which it calls the Overture, to carry passengers before the end of the decade.

But the startup’s plans have already slipped at least once, and it will have to overcome many obstacles, including securing approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and regulators in other countries. Even established manufacturers have stumbled when introducing new or redesigned planes. Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded for nearly two years after two crashes.

The deal is United’s latest attempt to position itself as a risk taker shaking up an industry that is just getting back on its feet after a devastating pandemic. The airline announced a $20 million investment in an electric air taxi startup, Archer, in February, and it is working on a "steady drumbeat" of more such bets, said Michael Leskinen, who heads corporate development at United.

"We are really confident in the future," Leskinen said. "Aerospace takes a long time to innovate. And so if you don’t start setting these opportunities out now, you will have missed them."

United and Boom would not disclose financial details, including the cost of each plane, but Leskinen said the economics should be about the same as a new Boeing 787, a widebody plane that airlines typically use on international routes. United has committed to buying the planes if Boom manages to produce them, secure regulatory approvals and hit other targets, like meeting its sustainability requirements.

Boom also plans to make planes for Japan Airlines, an investor in the company.

What is not clear is whether Boom has solved the problems that forced British Airways and Air France to stop using the Concorde on trans-Atlantic flights — high costs, safety concerns and flagging demand.

"There was no airline interest," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and consultant, said about why supersonic flights languished. "And a big part of the lack of airline interest was there were no engines that were commercially available that would allow a supersonic jet to be economically viable."

Two decades later, some startup companies, including Boom and Spike Aerospace, are pushing ahead with new designs and plans.

Boom, which is working with Rolls-Royce, the British jet engine maker, said its plane would be more efficient than the Concorde; United estimates it will be 75% more efficient. Boom’s planes will not be as noisy as the Concorde because their engines will create a sonic boom only when flying over water "when there’s no one to hear it," said Boom’s chief executive, Blake Scholl, who previously worked at Amazon and Groupon.

In recent years, many people have also grown increasingly concerned about air travel’s contribution to climate change. Supersonic jets are expected to use more fuel than regular jets per passenger per mile, according to experts.

Scholl said the engines on Boom’s planes would rely entirely on sustainable aviation fuel, which can be made from waste, plants and other organic matter. Experts say such fuel could reduce emissions, but its supply is limited, it is expensive and its use does not eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

United said it was too early to know how much it would charge for the flights, which it would run out of its hubs in Newark, New Jersey, and San Francisco to start. But another big question mark about the plane is how many people will be willing to spend the thousands of dollars that each ticket on a supersonic flight is likely to cost.

United has long focused on business travelers, including by adding flights to Israel, China and other destinations popular with executives and by offering more business class seats on its planes. Leskinen called the idea of supersonic travel a "really powerful tool for business."

"You can have a business meeting and still be home to have dinner with your family," he said.

But corporate and international travel is expected to rebound slowly from the pandemic, and some experts say it might not recover fully for years because companies have realized that they can be effective without as many in-person meetings.

"The key to the success of supersonic transportation is the overlooked, underappreciated corporate travel manager, who is probably relegated to one of the worst offices in his or her company — and his primary task is to minimize corporate spending on business travel,"&nbsp;said Harteveldt.

If flights save a third of the travel time but also cost a third more, travel managers may end up saying, "I don’t know if we can justify that," he said.

The era of supersonic commercial flights came to an end when the Concorde completed its last trip between New York and London in 2003, but the allure of ultrafast air travel never quite died out.

The era of supersonic commercial flights came to an end when the Concorde completed its last trip between New York and London in 2003, but the allure of ultrafast air travel never quite died out. President Joe Biden mused about supersonic flights when discussing his infrastructure plan in April. And on Thursday, United Airlines said it was ordering 15 jets that can travel faster than the speed of sound from Boom Supersonic, a startup in Denver. The airline said it had an option to increase its order by up to 35 planes. Boom, which has raised $270 million from venture capital firms and other investors, said it planned to introduce aircraft in 2025 and start flight tests in 2026. It expects the plane, which it calls the Overture, to carry passengers before the end of the decade. But the startup’s plans have already slipped at least once, and it will have to overcome many obstacles, including securing approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and regulators in other countries. Even established manufacturers have stumbled when introducing new or redesigned planes. Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded for nearly two years after two crashes. The deal is United’s latest attempt to position itself as a risk taker shaking up an industry that is just getting back on its feet after a devastating pandemic. The airline announced a $20 million investment in an electric air taxi startup, Archer, in February, and it is working on a "steady drumbeat" of more such bets, said Michael Leskinen, who heads corporate development at United. "We are really confident in the future," Leskinen said. "Aerospace takes a long time to innovate. And so if you don’t start setting these opportunities out now, you will have missed them." United and Boom would not disclose financial details, including the cost of each plane, but Leskinen said the economics should be about the same as a new Boeing 787, a widebody plane that airlines typically use on international routes. United has committed to buying the planes if Boom manages to produce them, secure regulatory approvals and hit other targets, like meeting its sustainability requirements. Boom also plans to make planes for Japan Airlines, an investor in the company. What is not clear is whether Boom has solved the problems that forced British Airways and Air France to stop using the Concorde on trans-Atlantic flights — high costs, safety concerns and flagging demand. "There was no airline interest," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and consultant, said about why supersonic flights languished. "And a big part of the lack of airline interest was there were no engines that were commercially available that would allow a supersonic jet to be economically viable." Two decades later, some startup companies, including Boom and Spike Aerospace, are pushing ahead with new designs and plans. Boom, which is working with Rolls-Royce, the British jet engine maker, said its plane would be more efficient than the Concorde; United estimates it will be 75% more efficient. Boom’s planes will not be as noisy as the Concorde because their engines will create a sonic boom only when flying over water "when there’s no one to hear it," said Boom’s chief executive, Blake Scholl, who previously worked at Amazon and Groupon. In recent years, many people have also grown increasingly concerned about air travel’s contribution to climate change. Supersonic jets are expected to use more fuel than regular jets per passenger per mile, according to experts. Scholl said the engines on Boom’s planes would rely entirely on sustainable aviation fuel, which can be made from waste, plants and other organic matter. Experts say such fuel could reduce emissions, but its supply is limited, it is expensive and its use does not eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. United said it was too early to know how much it would charge for the flights, which it would run out of its hubs in Newark, New Jersey, and San Francisco to start. But another big question mark about the plane is how many people will be willing to spend the thousands of dollars that each ticket on a supersonic flight is likely to cost. United has long focused on business travelers, including by adding flights to Israel, China and other destinations popular with executives and by offering more business class seats on its planes. Leskinen called the idea of supersonic travel a "really powerful tool for business." "You can have a business meeting and still be home to have dinner with your family," he said. But corporate and international travel is expected to rebound slowly from the pandemic, and some experts say it might not recover fully for years because companies have realized that they can be effective without as many in-person meetings. "The key to the success of supersonic transportation is the overlooked, underappreciated corporate travel manager, who is probably relegated to one of the worst offices in his or her company — and his primary task is to minimize corporate spending on business travel," said Harteveldt. If flights save a third of the travel time but also cost a third more, travel managers may end up saying, "I don’t know if we can justify that," he said.

United Airlines wants to bring back supersonic air travel

Concorde crash: As families pay tributes, here's what happened 20 years ago

A brand new supersonic jet is preparing for lift off almost after 50 years after Concorde first took to the skies -- the legendary delta-wing passenger airliner made its last flight in 2003.

Denver based start-up Boom Supersonic has announced it will roll out XB-1, a 1:3 scale prototype of its upcoming supersonic commercial jet Overture, on October 7, with test flights beginning in 2021.

"XB-1 is the first step in bringing supersonic travel back to the world," Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said in a statement on the company's website.

He added, "Flights at twice the speed mean we can travel twice as far -- bringing more people, places, and cultures into our lives."

"Our experiences in the Covid-19 pandemic underscore for all of us the fundamental human need for personal connection. Faster travel enables us to experience the world's people, cultures, and places. With XB-1, we're demonstrating that we are prepared to bring back supersonic."

According to Boom, the purpose of XB-1 is to demonstrate and prove the "key technologies" for Overture, such as advanced carbon fiber composite construction and computer-optimized high-efficiency aerodynamics.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/boom-supersonic-jet-overture-to-begin-test-flights-in-2021-312216">IN PICS |&nbsp;Boom Supersonic jet Overture to begin test flights in 2021</a>

The results of the XB-1 test programme, which claims to be 100% carbon neutral, will allow the company to fine tune the design for supersonic airliner Overture.

"We're ensuring that the supersonic future is safe and environmentally and economically sustainable," he added.

"We've learned that the demand for supersonic has grown even faster than we anticipated."

If all goes to plan, Overture, which is designed to seat between 55 to 75 people, will begin passenger flights in 2030. It will focus on over 500 primarily transoceanic routes that will benefit from the aircraft's Mach-2.2 speeds -- such as New York to London, a journey that would take just three hours and 15 minutes.

The aircraft will only fly at supersonic speeds over oceans in order to ensure that populated areas are not affected by sonic booms.

A brand new supersonic jet is preparing for lift off almost after 50 years after Concorde first took to the skies -- the legendary delta-wing passenger airliner made its last flight in 2003.

A brand new supersonic jet is preparing for lift off almost after 50 years after Concorde first took to the skies -- the legendary delta-wing passenger airliner made its last flight in 2003. Denver based start-up Boom Supersonic has announced it will roll out XB-1, a 1:3 scale prototype of its upcoming supersonic commercial jet Overture, on October 7, with test flights beginning in 2021. "XB-1 is the first step in bringing supersonic travel back to the world," Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said in a statement on the company's website. He added, "Flights at twice the speed mean we can travel twice as far -- bringing more people, places, and cultures into our lives." "Our experiences in the Covid-19 pandemic underscore for all of us the fundamental human need for personal connection. Faster travel enables us to experience the world's people, cultures, and places. With XB-1, we're demonstrating that we are prepared to bring back supersonic." According to Boom, the purpose of XB-1 is to demonstrate and prove the "key technologies" for Overture, such as advanced carbon fiber composite construction and computer-optimized high-efficiency aerodynamics. IN PICS | Boom Supersonic jet Overture to begin test flights in 2021 The results of the XB-1 test programme, which claims to be 100% carbon neutral, will allow the company to fine tune the design for supersonic airliner Overture. "We're ensuring that the supersonic future is safe and environmentally and economically sustainable," he added. "We've learned that the demand for supersonic has grown even faster than we anticipated." If all goes to plan, Overture, which is designed to seat between 55 to 75 people, will begin passenger flights in 2030. It will focus on over 500 primarily transoceanic routes that will benefit from the aircraft's Mach-2.2 speeds -- such as New York to London, a journey that would take just three hours and 15 minutes. The aircraft will only fly at supersonic speeds over oceans in order to ensure that populated areas are not affected by sonic booms.

Supersonic travel to return for first time since Concorde retired

For the first time since Concorde, a new supersonic civil aircraft will be unveiled. The XB-1 is the first step in bringing supersonic travel around the world again. Watch report.

Prototype XB-1 to be unveiled in October 2020: Overture Supersonic Passenger Jet

supersonic-jet

Supersonic Jet, News on Supersonic Jet, stories on Supersonic Jet, articles on Supersonic Jet, Supersonic Jet stories at Wion, Supersonic Jet news, Supersonic Jet latest news