The Yunxing aircraft from Space Transportation aims to achieve speeds of Mach 4 (4,939 km/h), promising to transport passengers between Beijing and New York in just two hours.
Space Transportation, based in Beijing, announced the successful testing of a prototype commercial aircraft capable of flying at nearly double the speed of the world’s first supersonic passenger plane, the Concorde, as reported by Interesting Engineering on October 29. According to the company, the Yunxing aircraft can fly at a speed of Mach 4 (4,939 km/h). Space Transportation plans to continue testing the vehicle’s engines next month and aims to have a full-sized supersonic jet ready for its first flight in 2027.
Prototype of Space Transportation’s supersonic jet. (Photo: Space Transportation).
The Concorde shattered all records for supersonic passenger travel upon its launch. Designed and manufactured by Sud Aviation, which later became part of Aerospatiale (now Airbus) in France and the British Aircraft Corporation, it is considered one of the masterpieces of aviation technology. The Concorde was the first supersonic aircraft equipped with turbojet engines that provided passenger service across the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound. Using Rolls-Royce Olympus engines, the aircraft could reach a maximum speed of 2,140 km/h.
Space Transportation is now looking to break this record by introducing a commercial aircraft that can fly at Mach 4, completing the journey between Beijing and New York in approximately two hours. The new prototype designed by Space Transportation also boasts several other interesting features, including the ability to take off and land vertically and fly at an altitude of around 20,000 meters.
Founded in 2018 by Yudong Wang, Space Transportation designs and manufactures transportation systems for space to reduce the costs of space exploration. The company has extensive experience in research and development in the fields of supersonic aircraft and rockets.
The company is testing the Yunxing supersonic aircraft based on several parameters, including aerodynamics, thermal protection, and control systems. Space Transportation stated that the structure, made entirely from composite materials, withstands extreme conditions throughout the test flight. Additionally, the company had the opportunity to test the flight control system, avionics, and the structural integrity of the prototype. With many more tests planned for the future, Space Transportation may soon achieve its goal of making commercial passenger flights at Mach 4 a reality.
