To Go Fast, Start Small

If human beings are ever to fly faster than the speed of sound from one side of the country to another, we first have to figure out how to reduce the level of sonic boom generated by supersonic flight. In the photo, Kyle Webster checks that the model is correctly installed. This model, the smaller of two used in the tests, was used to capture measurements of the off-body pressures that create sonic boom. The model is actually upside down. Depending on the type of test and on the tunnel, the model can be oriented either way.

Read More