Thomas C's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Soaring into the Future: Studying the Effects of Supersonic Flow BASIS Advisor: Kyrsten Floyd Internship Location: University of Arizona College of Engineering: Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Onsite Mentor: Dr. James Threadgill, Assistant Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Project Abstract

Shortly after the Cold War ended, in 2004, the X-43A completed its famous flight where it achieved a maximum speed of 9.6 times the speed of sound with an airbreathing engine. Since then, the most powerful countries on the planet have been striving to apply this new technology. When working on such a project, many factors need to be taken into consideration, especially aerodynamics. To further our understanding of aerodynamics, researchers use wind tunnels to examine scale models of real aircraft or other obstructions in airflow. This project will specifically focus on collecting data, such as force analysis and shock wave boundary layer interactions, to gather invaluable data for engineers working on the next generation of high-speed aircraft. While contributing to National Defense initiatives such as the creation of new military technologies, this research will also have numerous applications in private interests. For example, this research can be used to create a supersonic jet to carry passengers across great distances like the Concorde did years ago. According to Hermeus, a small startup company that specializes in hypersonic technology, the advent of a commercial hypersonic passenger plane could increase the world’s GDP by almost four trillion dollars per year. This will result in economic prosperity and an increased standard of living across the world as travel times plummet and the human race reaches an unprecedented level of connectivity.