A Beijing-based company has announced a breakthrough in supersonic aviation technology. Space Transportation, also known as Lingkong Tianxing Technology, has successfully tested the prototype of a commercial transport plane capable of traveling at nearly double the speed of the Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger plane.
Space Transportation revealed that its Yunxing prototype plane reached speeds of Mach 4, approximately 3,069 miles per hour. This incredible speed significantly surpasses the Concorde’s top speed of 1,330 miles per hour, achieved with its Rolls-Royce Olympus engines. The company is planning further tests of its engine in the upcoming month and aims to have a full-sized supersonic jet ready for its first flight by 2027.
The Concorde was a marvel of aviation technology when it was introduced. Designed and built by Sud Aviation (later Aerospatiale, now part of Airbus) and the British Aircraft Corporation, the Concorde could transport passengers across the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound. It remained the fastest passenger plane until its retirement in 2003. The Chinese firm now seeks to eclipse this record with its innovative aircraft.
The Yunxing prototype boasts several advanced features beyond its impressive speed. It can take off and land vertically, akin to a helicopter, and fly at altitudes of around 65,600 feet (20,000 meters). These capabilities mark a significant advancement in aerospace technology.
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Founded in 2018 by Yudong Wang, Space Transportation focuses on reducing the costs of space exploration through advanced transport systems. The company has a robust background in designing hypersonic aircraft and rockets, with a comprehensive approach to the research, development, and testing of these technologies.
In May 2022, Space Transportation successfully completed the Yao-10 flight mission of the Tianxing I rocket, further cementing its reputation in the aerospace industry.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the Yunxing supersonic jet underwent rigorous testing on various parameters, including aerodynamics, thermal protection, and control systems. The company also evaluated the all-composite structure’s ability to withstand extreme conditions during the test flight.
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The next significant test, scheduled for November 2024, will focus on the full engine capacity of the aircraft. If successful, these tests will pave the way for the commercial launch of supersonic passenger flights by 2027.
The development of the Yunxing prototype highlights China’s significant progress in aerospace technology, with potential implications for both military and commercial aviation sectors.
“I’m so dying to do a supersonic, electric VOTL [sic] jet, but adding more work will make my brain explode,” Mr Musk tweeted in 2021, building on comments he had previously made on the Joe Rogan podcast.
“The interesting thing about an electric plane is that you want to go as high as possible but you need a certain energy density in the battery pack because you have to overcome gravitational potential energy,” he said.
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“The higher you go, the faster you will go for the same amount of energy. And at a certain altitude you can go supersonic with less energy-per-mile – quite a lot less energy per mile – than aircraft at 35,000 feet.”
Meanwhile, other companies are also making strides in supersonic travel. US-based Boom Supersonic showcased its XB1 prototype at the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2024. Boom’s founder and CEO, Blake Scholl, aims to reintroduce commercial supersonic flights, with the XB1 expected to halve travel times between major cities like London and New York.
Additionally, companies like Venus Aerospace and individuals like Elon Musk have expressed interest in developing even faster and more efficient supersonic jets. Venus Aerospace is working on a jet engine capable of reaching Mach 6, while Musk has discussed the potential for an electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) supersonic jet.
