X-43A

• The X-43A was an experimental hypersonic aircraft developed by -NASA- as part of the Hyper-X program. The primary goal of the program was to demonstrate and validate technologies for air-breathing hypersonic flight, which could revolutionize both space travel and high-speed transportation.

• The X-43A was a small, unpiloted, lifting body aircraft with a length of about 3,65 meters (12 feet) and a wingspan of 1,52 meters (5 feet). It was powered by a scramjet engine, which uses the oxygen from the atmosphere mixed with the fuel (Hydrogen gas). This makes scramjets more efficient for certain types of high-speed flight.

• The X-43A was launched from a B-52 bomber at around 30.000 meters (100.000 feet) After release, a Pegasus rocket booster accelerated the X-43A to its test speeds before being jettisoned. The X-43A then continued its flight using its scramjet engine.

• The X-43A set several speed records, achieving speeds greater than Mach 9.6 (approximately 7,346 mph or 11,850 km/h) in 2004, making it the fastest jet-powered aircraft ever built. This was a significant milestone in hypersonic research.

• Here's a video showing the launch of the X-43