NASA’s X-43A Accelerates Hypersonic Flight

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Video source record: https://images.nasa.gov/details/AFRC-2025-14538-02-X-43 Flight 3 20 Year RetrospectiveYT

NASA’s X-43A Accelerates Hypersonic Flight
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Summary

NASA took a major step toward redefining high-speed flight on Nov. 16, 2004, when the X-43A – a small, experimental aircraft – proved that an engine drawing oxygen from the atmosphere could propel an aircraft to hypersonic speeds. During the flight over the Pacific Ocean west of California, the X-43A set the world speed record for a jet-powered aircraft, reaching Mach 9.6, or nearly 7,000 mph. The mission originated from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Click here for the latest on NASA’s hypersonic research: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/aavp/hypersonic-technology-project/

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Details

  • Source collection: NASA
  • License: Public Domain (US Government)
  • Category: Space