Just 100 years ago, getting from America to Europe was a voyage that took several days by ocean liners. With the invention of airplanes, that travel time was significantly shortened to under 24 hours. At the apex of the era of transatlantic flight, the Concorde was able to fly 100 passengers at Mach 2.0 speeds from New York to London in just over 3.5 hours. |
Sources: 1 | 2 |
Now, the European Space Agency (ESA) just greenlighted the next stage of modern transportation – the hypersonic flight. The ESA has approved a new round of funding to project LAPCAT (Long-Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies). |
Ignoring its funny name, the new plane will fly at Mach 5.0 speed (that’s five times the speed of sound!), using liquid hydrogen engines. The planes will be able to travel from England to Australia in four hours, carry 300 passengers and even fly to space in just 15 minutes. The new kind of engine is being developed by the British company Reaction Engines, who are said to invest over 60 million GBP in the development, and are going to start builing a full-scale prototype engine. |
Current jet engines require that airplanes carry liquid oxygen as a coolant because in speeds beyond Mach 3.0 the engines cannot use external oxygen for cooling. The new type of engine can use external oxygen freely, allowing it to cool down its engines from over 1,000°c (1,832°f) to -150°c (-328°f) in a fraction of a second.
|
Experts are hailing this development as the biggest advancement in aviation since the invention of the jet engine. The cost of a single plane is estimated to be a whopping $1.1 Billion and will have no windows. |
This interesting video explains the LAPCAT's abilities: |
So would you be willing to fly in a windowless super-fast rocket? |
The Disappearing Computer: Revolution on a Personal Scale
What happens when we lose the physical large computer all together? This lecture explains what ahead for computers.
Welcome to the Fastest Maze-Solving Competition Ever Made...
Welcome to Micromouse, a competition for the quick of eyes and the quick of minds. This is the oldest robotics race.
Incredible New Bionic Arm Fuses With Woman's Nerves
Karin's bionic hand is real sci fi, making her one of the first true cyborgs.
Science Lesson: Why is Space Black?
This video will explain why exactly space is the color it is - black.
How to Maximize Productivity With Study Planner Apps
These apps are designed to help students organize their study schedules, track their progress, and ultimately achieve their academic goals with greater ease.
What's so Exciting About James Webb Space Telescope?
Why the new James Webb space telescope is much, much better than Hubble.
Exploring the Fascinating History of the Flying Ship
The USS Plainview was an American ship that could fly. Literally. But what happened to it?
These Are the Strangest Vehicles I've Ever Laid Eyes On.
From a five person bike to giant monstrosities, these are some of the wildest designs for vehicles we've ever seen! Take a look!
Do You Know the Most Important Airplanes Ever?
The invention of human flight, and the progress made ever since then has seen many a significant airplane. Here are 14 of the most important in history.
Exploring 5 of the Most Famous Pilots in History
The fascinating stories of men and women who dared to explore flight when it was still a young technology.
Crazy! I Have Never Seen Vehicles Loaded Like This Before
I thought I had overloaded my car before, and been on some crowded buses and trains. But I have never seen anything like these overcrowded vehicles!
Some People Have the Strangest Cars...
Photos of some of the most bizarre automobiles you've ever seen.
13 Lesser-Known Car Facts That May Surprise You
We're so used to cars that we sometimes forget that their history is incredibly interesting.
Feast Your Eyes on 6 of the Best Movie Cars of All Time
There have been many great cars in films, but a select few stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here are 6 of them.
These Incredible Racing Cars Take Me Way Back!
Whether we are racing fans or not, certain racing cars are iconic for one reason or another. Here are 14 of the most iconic racing cars of all time.
These 12 Beautiful Cars Are Literally One of a Kind
There are only one each of these beautiful, classic cars.
The Eighth Wonder: How the Panama Canal Works
The Panama Canal is an engineering wonder, see how it was built and how it works here
15 Stunning Aviation Photos That Inspire Awe
We’ve compiled some of the coolest and most amazing photos of aircraft and aviation that we guarantee you will love.
“What Did You Do to Your Car?!” – Bizarre Modifications
These car modifications have gone out of hand!
10 of The Most Unusual Vehicles You Will Ever See
An odd or unusual vehicle stands out in the crowd. Here we look at some of the weirdest vehicles ever made.
These Cars are Completely Bizarre and Hilarious!
From cars that look like other things to cars that look like they are about to fight zombies to cars that are half a motorcycle!
Paul Allen's Collection of WWII Planes Is Staggering!
This amazing group of planes was amassed by billionaire Paul Allen. These incredibly rare WWII fighters can be enjoyed by the general public. Take a look.
Rolling Sculptures: The Most Beautiful Art Deco Cars Ever
The art deco era arguably gave rise to the most beautiful cars ever built. Let's take a journey back in time and see 12 of these extraordinary vehicles.
Maintain Your Car's Value Longer With These Top Tips
Cars often decrease in value over the years, but these tips will ensure that your car value will be maintained.
This is What Happens to Your Car When You Hit Speed Bumps
Ever wonder what happens to your car when you go over speed bumps? This video will show you using a transparent car.
17 Bizarre Autos That Will Leave You Scratching Your Head
Explore the world of weird cars that defy the norms of automotive design.
These Were the Fastest Production Cars Money Could Buy
Many records have been broken as part of man's relentless pursuit of more and more speed. Each of these 16 cars has held the production car speed record.
Only One Car Was Ever Named 'The Ghost'. This is Why...
This may look like some modern re-creation, but this plexiglass Pontiac 'ghost car' model was created in 1939...
These 17 Beautiful Vintage Cars Are a Treat to the Eyes
Fan of vintage cars? Then you will love this collection.
The Story of the Only Aircraft Built With Pivoting Wings
Did you know NASA once tested pivoting wing technology?
The Dubious History of the Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle is a special vehicle and it has a long and very complicated history...
It's Crazy That These Highly Valuable Cars Were Abandoned!
It's incredible to think that these highly valuable cars were forgotten about in garages and barns for so long. Check out these incredible barn find cars.
Yikes! These Cars Are Truly The Worst Ever Made...
Some cars are a really a blot on the world's roads. From hideous styling, to pathetic performance and alarming safety, these 15 are the worst of the worst.
7 Monstrously Massive Machines You Won’t Believe Are Real
What is the largest vehicle in the world? Here are some monstrous examples.
Lost in Time: The Forgotten Flying Wing…
Let's take a look at the forgotten flying wing aircraft that was decades ahead of its time.
These Cold-War Military Jets Are Amazing Pieces of Work
These airplanes saw action during the extremely tense cold war. Looking at how big and powerful they are, it's a god send things didn't spiral out of control!
We Bet You've Never Seen Cars Stranger Than These
These cars are undoubtedly the strangest cars that you have ever seen.
The Exquisite Car Making of Eras Gone By...
Fortunately for all you car aficionados we gathered images of many of the museum's cars so that you can see these incredible masterpieces of mechanical work for yourself.
A ROYAL History of the Rolls-Royce Car
For 119 years, Rolls-Royce has exemplified a unique blend of creativity, invention, and luxury.
Join Us for a Tour of 8 Giant, Luxurious Cruises
8 vessels that will undoubtedly inspire you to plan a future sailing vacation aboard them - complete with accompanying videos showcasing their delightful features.
20 Most Unusual Vehicles You Won't Believe Actually Exist
So, which one of these weird cars would you like to drive?
The 10 Worst Jet Airplanes Ever to Fly...
From the farcical, to the catastrophic and downright dangerous, these are the 10 worst jet airplanes ever.
Look Ma, No Eyes: How Self-Driving Cars "See" Obstacles
The technology that allows self-driving cars to detect and navigate around obstacles
I Thought I'd Seen it All... Until I Saw These Cars...
These owners must have spent a fortune putting their strange creations together on wheels.
10 Groundbreaking Cars that Changed the Auto Industry
There have been many innovative cars that have come to market over the decades, however these 10 cars were revolutionary. Take a look at these 10 game-changers.
8 Fascinating Facts from the World of Vehicles
We have collected 8 fascinating facts you may not have known about cars.
Bakfiets – The Unique Car-Replacement Bicycle
Today, we would like to share with you a unique vehicle that can make commuting around the city much easier.