The expected “level of acceptance” of a sonic boom by the general public is 70 decibels.
However, NASA had lowered their newly designed supersonic aircraft by 79 decibels. A supersonic flight is then achieved when the aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound. One of its benefits is that it reduces flight times, nearly one third of the flight time of passenger planes today.
The reason for reducing the sonic boom sound is due to the shockwave the aircraft produces when it takes off, creating too loud sounds just like a big explosion. This intense noise is disruptive and can cause public discomfort and even structural damage to buildings. That’s why we don’t see any passenger aircrafts capable of supersonic flights.
The Challenge of Sonic Booms
The sonic boom is a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of supersonic travel. When an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, it generates shockwaves that merge to form a single, powerful sound wave. This phenomenon can be startling and disruptive, leading to strict regulations that limit where and when supersonic flights can occur. The Concorde, the most famous supersonic passenger jet, faced numerous restrictions due to its loud sonic booms, which ultimately contributed to its retirement.
Meanwhile, NASA has been working with Boeing and Lockheed Martin to reduce the noise created with the sonic boom to use in business jets, and as mentioned above, NASA is on track to achieve that goal. These collaborations have led to innovative designs and technologies aimed at mitigating the impact of sonic booms. For instance, the X-59 QueSST (Quiet Supersonic Technology) is an experimental aircraft developed by NASA and Lockheed Martin, designed to produce a much quieter sonic boom, often referred to as a “sonic thump.”
Future of Supersonic Travel
NASA plans to have business jets in service by 2025 and they are confident that their further developments will reduce the noise level to the recommended 70 decibels threshold or even less. This ambitious timeline reflects the significant progress made in recent years. The X-59 QueSST, for example, is expected to fly over communities to gather data on public perception of the reduced sonic boom. This data will be crucial in shaping future regulations and paving the way for commercial supersonic flights.
However, all these improvements may need more budget. The development of quieter supersonic aircraft is a costly endeavor, requiring advanced materials, cutting-edge technology, and extensive testing. Perhaps they should cut other active programs or persuade the government and industry partners to put in money, for the project’s success. Securing funding is a critical challenge, but the potential benefits of supersonic travel—such as drastically reduced flight times and enhanced global connectivity—make it a worthwhile investment.
In addition to business jets, there is also interest in developing supersonic passenger planes. Companies like Boom Supersonic are working on aircraft that could revolutionize air travel by offering faster transcontinental flights. These efforts, combined with NASA’s research, suggest a future where supersonic travel could become more accessible and environmentally friendly.
The quest to reduce the noise of sonic booms is a complex but essential step toward realizing the dream of widespread supersonic travel. With continued innovation and collaboration, the goal of achieving a 70-decibel sonic boom is within reach, promising a new era of faster, quieter, and more efficient air travel.
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