2. THE NEED TO TRAVEL AT HYPERSONIC SPEEDS ( Seminar Hyperplanes )

There are many reasons why we should travel at hypersonic speeds.

Faster intercontinental travel is one major need. For this hyperplane X-3O was proposed which was expected to cover New York-Tokyo in around 1 hour.


Another major need is to allow seamless entry to space. To exit the atmosphere and park in LEO, a spacecraft must attain a speed of Mach 26(ouch), where it can either deliver payload which can be a satellite or even another vehicle that will travel further.


Other major uses are in defence fields. Here hyperplanes can be used for invincible spy planes and strategic bombers. USAF projects like the Hypersoar are hypersonic craft (Mach 10).


The major reason for the usefulness of the technology is because they can be used as reusable satellite launchers which could replace costly rocket missions.

They can thus be used as reusable missile launchers which could reduce cost and improve accuracy.


Our desire to constantly push the limits is also a reason for their development.