The University of Maryland and College Park-based Astrox Corporation have partnered on a long-term research project aimed at developing a hypersonic plane that could one day make transcontinental flights significantly shorter. The collaboration is part of a tech transfer through the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program, which was designed to accelerate commercialization of technology by funding joint research projects.
Such a plane could not only shorten flights — designers estimate a flight to Australia could one day be as short as two hours — but also provide travelers with a bird’s-eye view of the earth as the plane orbits around the globe during the flight.
“Hypersonic space planes could revolutionize the transportation industry, much like jet planes did for subsonic commercial aviation 50 years ago,” said Ajay Kothari, president of Astrox.
But while engineers have successfully designed and tested a combustor for the plane’s engine, Kothari acknowledged that commercialization could be anywhere from 10 to 25 years away. The combustor has been tested at Mach 2, which is twice the speed of sound, in the university’s wind tunnel, but the majority of the project is still being designed using computer models.
“I would say what can be done depends on the interest and funding from the public or government,” he said.
The maximum yearly project award through the MIPS program is $100,000.
Kothari said Astrox is working with both the U.S. Air Force and NASA on the project and said the plane would most likely be used for military purposes first before it makes it to the commercial sector.
Thisisn’t the first time an airplane has promised to revolutionize the aviation industry. The Concorde, which was in service between 1976 and 2003, could fly from London to New York City in just under three hours. But a lack of commercial passengers willing to pay the high ticket prices forced the planes into retirement.
Kothari said he hopes his plane will offer more incentives. Instead of just flying fast, it will also be a “tourist attraction,” he said.
“It actually goes into orbit,” Kothari said. “Let’s say you want to go somewhere in two hours; before landing, you can go around the Earth three times.”
