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THIS NUCLEAR-POWERED SUPERSONIC AIRLINER CONCEPT IS A BEAUTIFUL DREAM

Skies are big and empty. What is stopping us from filling them with massive, supersonic, nuclear-powered jetliners?
Well, other than physics, regulations, a lack of market need, and common sense — almost nothing!
  • Something that flies at Mach3 would be brilliant, it would certainly speed up the current 24 hours it takes to get to Australia, although I suspect that if an aircraft like this ever did become a reality, the fares would put it beyond the reach of the majority of the population.  I'd like to see some feedback on this concept from some of our Aerospace community members as to what their thoughts are on the concept.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    31.01.2017.

    From robinboulton.

    This idea was looked at by the U.S. Airforce, in the 1950's. A great deal of Tax Dollars, was spent on the project.The net result was that the whole idea was abandoned, as being inpractical . And The Air force and US Gverment desided it would dangerous to continue with.

    The small reactor needed for an  such an aircraft,  simply was to heavy With reactor, heat exchanger, electic power generator, final drive motor.

    Those involved , have said, the closed cycle system. Never worked correctly. Even with two companys working on different concepts.

    The open cycle, was so dirty , that no Goverment would ever permit it to fly. The engines simply, exhaused vast amount of radoactive materal.

    The buget/costs of simply trying to produce a demonstor. Simply ran away with little to show , for the money spent.

    The enginers running the project, are on record . If they could , overcome the power issues. The weight needed to protect the crew, from the radiation. The aircraft simply could not take off. Air is simply , not dense enough, to support the weight.


    Sorry.

  • Robin - thanks for your feedback below.  Its interesting to see that this is not a new concept and one that had been investigated many years ago.  The problem with many concept aircraft is that they often seem to be impractical.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    31.01.2017



    From
    robinboulton.



    If you are
    interested in highspeed flight. And the requierments needed for
    it.



    Try the. Papers
    published by Dr. Barns Wallis in the early 50's on sub-orbital
    aircraft. And the test reports produced by Bristol's and Fairey's
    at the same time. On sonic and transonic fligh.

    Nasa's papers on
    the X15 program. Which at the time , was to orbit launch the space
    craft. rather than a reactive rocket.which did.



    Thank you.