A revolutionary jet engine flew faster than seven times the speed of sound in a high altitude test over the Pacific on Saturday, marking what NASA scientists hailed as a milestone in developing the “Holy Grail” of space travel.
“…Huebner said the test had set a world speed record for a craft powered by an air-breathing engine.
“Project members said the successful test had important commercial and military implications.
“Efficient access to space opens up a whole new world for industry in the future, to be able to get to space and get back, quickly, and do it several times a month,” Sitz said.
“During Saturday’s test, a modified B-52 bomber dropped the X-43A at an altitude of around 40,000 feet.
“A rocket attached to the 2,800-pound (1,270-kg) research vehicle then boosted it to an altitude of 95,000 feet, setting the stage for the scramjet engine test.
“Later this year, NASA researchers hope to test the engine at Mach 10, or about 7,000 mph (11,265 km/h), as part of their Hyper-X program.”