this post was submitted on 29 Oct 2024
43 points (100.0% liked)
Technology
949 readers
45 users here now
A tech news sub for communists
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Apparently, there have been some ideas on how to make efficient hypersonic vehicles. The vehicle could be operating in the upper atmosphere where there's less drag. It would basically be an inherently long haul vehicle where you'd go up do most of the trip up high, and then come back down.
The upper atmosphere would probably have less drag, but the lower speed of sound at high altitudes would exacerbate the issues of supersonic flight and require specialized, expensive aircraft. It may become more efficient, but I still see it as mostly a niche market.
Initially for sure, but I imagine as with any tech once it gets established, the costs will come down to make it more broadly applicable.