All articles tagged with #concorde
In 1973, scientists used the Concorde to extend the observation window of a solar eclipse from about 7 minutes to 74 minutes by flying at supersonic speeds across Africa, turning the jet into a flying observatory to study the Sun's corona and solar winds, showcasing a remarkable blend of aviation and astronomical innovation.
The Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet that flew from 1976 to 2003, capable of reaching speeds over twice the speed of sound, with a record flight time between New York and London of under three hours. Its speed was achieved through a combination of a sleek, aerodynamic design, delta wings, and powerful turbojet engines with afterburners. However, the high fuel consumption and associated costs, along with incidents like the Air France Flight 4590 crash, led to its commercial downfall.
In 1973, a modified Concorde chased a solar eclipse at Mach 2 for 74 minutes of total darkness, allowing scientists to observe the sun's corona. The unique mission, detailed in a YouTube video with 3D renderings, required precise planning and special equipment, including gutting the passenger area and installing observation windows. French astrophysicist Pierre Lena and Concorde test pilot Andre Turcat led the mission, which aimed to extend the observation time of the eclipse.
The preserved Concorde F-WTSS, displayed at the Musée de l’air et de l’espace in Paris, holds a unique claim to fame for its role in chasing a solar eclipse in 1973. The aircraft's exceptional supersonic speed allowed astronomers to observe the eclipse for over an hour by staying within the moon's shadow, showcasing the aircraft's high altitude capabilities for stratospheric astronomy. Today, the Concorde F-WTSS is preserved with the mission logo at the museum, commemorating its historic eclipse-chasing mission.
On June 30, 1973, the Concorde 001, a supersonic jet, flew into the moon's shadow during a total solar eclipse, extending the totality duration from 7 minutes on the ground to a stunning 74 minutes. The flight, which broke the record for the longest total solar eclipse in human history, allowed scientists to study the sun's corona and chromosphere. Despite subsequent attempts, including by other Concordes in 1999, it remains a legendary achievement that continues to inspire eclipse chasers.
On June 30, 1973, the Concorde 001, a supersonic jet, broke the record for the longest total solar eclipse in history by extending the duration of totality from 7 minutes to 74 minutes. Flying at 55,000 feet, the Concorde intercepted the moon's shadow along the Tropic of Cancer, allowing scientists on board to study the sun's corona and chromosphere. Despite subsequent eclipse flights, including those by Concorde in 1999, none have surpassed the achievement of the 1973 flight.
A Concorde jet, retired in 2003, has been floated down the Hudson River in New York after undergoing months of refurbishments. The British Airways plane, now restored with its original colors and markings, was transported to the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan last August. The Concorde holds the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a passenger aircraft and was the only supersonic commercial jet to fly internationally. Public tours of the jet at the museum will resume on 4 April.
The British Airways Concorde, one of only 20 ever built, has been floating down New York's Hudson River on its way back to the Intrepid Museum after undergoing restoration. The iconic supersonic aircraft, which holds the world speed record for a passenger aircraft, is set to be unloaded at the museum's Pier 86 and will resume tours on April 4.
The iconic British Airways Concorde G-BOAD, after undergoing a months-long restoration at GMD Shipyard in Brooklyn Navy Yard, has begun its return to the Intrepid Museum via a barge journey along the Hudson River, passing under iconic landmarks such as the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty.
NASA has unveiled the X-59, dubbed the 'son of Concorde', a 100-foot-long supersonic aircraft capable of cruising at 937 miles per hour without producing a loud sonic boom. The aircraft's design aims to reduce the noise of sonic booms, with a thin, tapered nose and an 'eXternal Vision System' replacing the forward-facing window in the cockpit. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the X-59 is part of NASA's Quesst mission to gather data for reconsidering rules that ban commercial supersonic flight over land, with test flights scheduled for later this year.
The Concorde, a revolutionary supersonic plane, failed due to a combination of factors including poor business decisions, restrictions on flight routes, and a devastating crash in 2000. Despite its impressive speed and luxurious amenities, the Concorde's fuel inefficiency and loud sonic boom limited its operations. With a limited capacity of 109 passengers, tickets were expensive, costing $12,000 for a round trip across the Atlantic. The last Concorde flight took place in 2003, marking the end of an era in aviation.
NASA's experimental X-59, also known as the "Son of Concorde," is preparing for its first test flights later this year. The aircraft, designed for supersonic mass transportation, can fly at Mach 1.4 and reduce flight durations between destinations. The project aims to enable flight at 55,000 feet and a cruising speed of Mach 1.42 while producing sounds as loud as a car door closing.
Scientists are planning a flight next year to chase a solar eclipse across Africa, similar to the epic 1973 Concorde jet chase. By flying in jets, researchers can stay within the shadow of the moon for extended periods of time, allowing them to observe totality and unravel enduring mysteries of the sun.