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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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NASA Aims to Stifle the Sonic Boom

Researchers experiment with quieter ways to smash the sound barrier

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(Newser) – NASA scientists are trying to mute the ear-splitting boom caused by supersonic flight into more of a sonic rumble, Wired reports. Researchers using modified F-15 jets have been experimenting with different wing shapes to spread out shock waves from breaking the sound barrier so they sound more like thunder than the telltale boom; they predict a quieter supersonic plane could be airborne within 5 years.

"Big picture: We want to learn how to build a plane with a low sonic boom," NASA's project manager says. "Understanding shock waves is going to help get us there." Public opposition to sonic booms was one of the reasons supersonic travel never really took off in the US; NASA's work could help make a 2.5-hour trip from LA to New York a reality.

A modified NASA F-15 jet in flight with a 'Quiet Spike' attached.
A modified NASA F-15 jet in flight with a 'Quiet Spike' attached.   (NASA)
A modified NASA F-15 jet with a 'Quiet Spike' attached.
A modified NASA F-15 jet with a 'Quiet Spike' attached.   (NASA)
A NASA F15-jet being modified to test shock waves.
A NASA F15-jet being modified to test shock waves.   (NASA)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
The phenomenon of sonic booms explained.   (sbgeys1984)
What a sonic boom looks like on a F14 Tomcat.   (bigjnsa)

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