In this episode of the Neil Ashton podcast, Peter Coen from NASA discusses the evolution and future of supersonic travel, focusing on the challenges faced by the Concorde, the technological hurdles of modern supersonic aircraft, and the innovative NASA Quesst mission (and X-59 demonstrator) that aims to provide crucial data to rewrite the aviation noise regulations. The conversation delves into the history of supersonic flight, the impact of sonic booms, and the regulatory landscape that will shape the future of aviation. In this conversation, Peter discusses the complexities of supersonic flight, focusing on the physics of shockwaves, innovative design strategies to mitigate sonic booms, and advancements in pilot visibility technology. He emphasizes the importance of human factors in aircraft design and the role of simulation in the development process. The discussion also covers the challenges of engine technology for commercial supersonic travel, the potential for hypersonic passenger travel, and the future of battery technology in aviation. Finally, Peter offers career advice for aspiring professionals in the aeronautics field.

Links
NASA Quesst mission: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/quesst/
AIAA Low-Boom Prediction Workshop: https://lbpw.larc.nasa.gov
X-59 (Lockheed Martin website): https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/x-59-quiet-supersonic.html

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Supersonic Travel
04:05 The History of Supersonic Flight
09:56 Challenges Faced by Concorde
16:02 Technological Challenges of Supersonic Travel
25:48 NASA's X-59 and the Quest Mission
33:45 Future of Supersonic Travel and Regulations
38:04 Understanding Shockwaves in Supersonic Flight
40:02 Design Innovations for Sonic Boom Reduction
43:16 Advancements in Pilot Visibility Technology
46:27 Human Factors in Aircraft Design
48:23 The Role of Simulation in Aircraft Development
51:42 Engine Noise and Its Impact on Supersonic Travel
54:31 The Future of Commercial Supersonic Travel
57:13 Challenges in Engine Technology for Supersonic Aircraft
01:00:17 The Intersection of Military and Supersonic Travel
01:02:09 Exploring Hypersonic Passenger Travel
01:06:39 The Future of Battery Technology in Aviation
01:09:09 Career Advice for Aspiring Aeronautics Professionals

Keywords

supersonic travel, Concorde, NASA, X-59, sonic boom, aviation technology, hypersonic flight, aerospace engineering, aircraft design, noise regulations, supersonic flight, sonic boom, aircraft design, pilot technology, simulation, engine noise, commercial aviation, hypersonic travel, battery technology, aeronautics careers, Peter Coen