Hypersonic Flight: Europe to Australia in 5 hrs with Liquid Hydrogen

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a proposed hypersonic jet capable of flying from Europe to Australia in under five hours, utilizing liquid hydrogen as fuel. This technology is touted for its ecological benefits, emitting only water and nitrous oxide. However, concerns are raised regarding the energy requirements for hydrogen production and the overall inefficiency of hypersonic flight. The project is criticized as lacking authenticity, with skeptics labeling it as a marketing ploy rather than a viable engineering endeavor.

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  • Understanding of hypersonic flight principles
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Hypersonic jet could reach Australia in under five hours

Tue Feb 5, 7:05 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - British engineers unveiled plans Tuesday for a hypersonic jet which could fly from Europe to Australia in less than five hours.

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It operates on liquid hydrogen, which is more ecologically friendly as it gives off water and nitrous oxide instead of carbon emissions.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080205/ts_afp/britaintechnologyaustraliaeuaviationplane_080205120505

Is this same as scramjet technology, or is it a new technology?
 
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Why's it give off nitrous oxide?
 
Hydrogen isn't natural in molecular form, so it needs to be generated. That requires energy, so unless they use something like nuclear power to generate the hydrogen, it will most certainly not be ecologically friendly. Also, hypersonic flight itself is extremely inefficient.

Tree hugging hippie crap aside, hypersonic flight is very cool. Their website shows a hybrid jet/rocket engine: http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/sabre.html

Unfortunately, though, what we have here is neither a real company nor a real project. It's just press for the purpose of generating revenue.
 
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