China tests hypersonic flight engine based on design rejected by NASA 20 years ago: Report

A team of Chinese scientists have built and tested a proto hypersonic flight engine using a design developed by US space agency NASA but later rejected due to high costs and unsolved technical problems. According to South China Morning Post, design was conceived by Ming Han Tang, a Chinese American who served as le engineer of NASA’s hypersonic program in late 1990s. However, in 2000s, US government cancelled program created to test Tang’s design due to technical challenges and costs. 

SCMP reported that in later years, proto research was n taken up by a group of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics scientists led by professor Tan Huijin, who created proto hypersonic engine featuring a pair of side-opening air inlets based on a declassified Tang scheme. Now, Chinese research team tested proto in a wind tunnel that could stimulate flight conditions from 4,900-9,800 kph for several seconds. y reportedly discovered that engines could start even in most difficult of flight conditions, precisely as Tang expected.  

China's hypersonic proto plane 

It is to mention that proto is capable of operating in Mach 4 to Mach 8 (4,900-9,800 kph) speed conditions. One of key features of experimental TSV-X plane is also that it is powered by two separate engines on sides. Moreover, proto plane can also lower speeds so that engines are able to operate as regular turbine jet engines in a bid to transition to a high-speed mode. 

However, NASA was unable to complete project as dual-engine design’s aerodynamics were too complex. re were also certain key problems that remain unanswered to date, such as wher engines could ignite after moving to hypersonic speed. refore, US government cancelled program, citing technical challenges and costs. 

But now same design has reportedly gained attention in China. According to SCMP, Chinese scientists believe that understanding design’s work mechanism can provide important guidance to hypersonic plane and engine development. However, Chinese professor Tan Huijin and his colleagues also noted that Tang’s design was not ideal as strong turbulence could occur around several corners of air inlet, compromising flying stability. researchers said that plane's ability to rise steeply without choking its engines was similarly limited. 

Furr, Chinese experts emphasised that even if dual-engine architecture was viable with some vantages, many difficult challenges remain. Meanwhile, it is to mention here that currently, China’s hypersonic vehicles and weapons utilise a rocket to initiate flight. But by 2035, Chinese space officials hope to produce a jet that can transport ten passengers anywhere on Earth in an hour.  

(Image: AP)