For a moment, reading only the first paragraph, I was hopeful that the problem of accelerating from subsonic to hypersonic had been solved. Alas, further down it makes clear that a booster was involved. Presumably a small solid rocket that accelerates to Mach 3-5(?) prior to scramjet ignition. Fine for a weapons system but will never be useful as transportation.
Is anyone aware of progress toward being able to reach these speeds without disposable boosters?
The SR-71 could make Mach 3 on its own but at incredible cost in fuel and complexity.
Is anyone aware of progress toward being able to reach these speeds without disposable boosters?
The SR-71 could make Mach 3 on its own but at incredible cost in fuel and complexity.