The hyper-X program: origins, current status and perspective

摘要

This paper describes NASA's Hyper-X program aimed at research into hypersonics with series of experimental vehicle designated X-43. All these unmanned demonstrators would be powered airbreathing propulsion which in comparison with rocket engines could enhance mission effectiveness by reducing propellant load and increasing operational flexibility. Potential applications of such propulsion include hypersonic weapons, long-range strike aircraft and reusable launch vehicles. Because the Hyper-X program is a element of "National Hypersonics Strategy" a brief overview of the origins of the high-speed research and some forerunners of the X-43 are presented also.