5 ms·

This is exciting. Concorde's withdrawal from active service back in 2003 dragged the aviation industry back by at least a couple decades imo, though I concede t

This is exciting. Concorde's withdrawal from active service back in 2003 dragged the aviation industry back by at least a couple decades imo, though I concede that its critics are right in pointing to the fact that the aircraft was an absolute disaster when it came to its carbon footprint and overall eco-efficiency. [0] This project, if successful, could be a 'Wright brothers' moment for supersonic travel and would dramatically cut down inter-continental travel time, thereby propelling the aviation industry into stratosphere and increasing the global financial throughput as a result of decreased flying duration -- in the next decade or so. [0] https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/concordesst/concorde-s-environmental-impact-t837.html https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/concordesst/concorde-s-envir...

ant6n 8y ago
Bringing our carbon footprint into the stratosphere as well (both via passenger miles, and via carbon per passenger mile). And the chances for electrification are even more remote than for subsonic planes -- at least its conceivable that electric propeller planes could work, in 50 years or so.
- abhiminator 8y ago
  How about hybrid propulsion systems? I agree with your assertion that complete electrification of the aviation industry is several decades away, but a hybrid solution should be optimally feasible given the advances in battery density and related industries. [0] [0] http://www.eenewseurope.com/news/hybrid-electric-aircraft-next-step-electrification-mobility-0 http://www.eenewseurope.com/news/hybrid-electric-aircraft-ne...
  - delibes 8y ago
    I think battery for commercial jet airliners might be a long way off, due to jet fuel's energy density. Small planes might manage. One idea I recall from Virgin Airlines a while back was to have planes towed around the airport so they didn't have to burn fuel on the ground. Ah here we go (2006!) : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6203636.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6203636.stm
    - dx034 8y ago
      I guess we'll end up creating fuel on the ground with renewable energy and use that for jets. This would go a long way towards reducing emissions and only needs minor adjustments to planes/engines. I believe some airlines already tested alt fuel sources as a mix (although they were based on plant oil iirc).
  - ant6n 8y ago
    Hybrids are stepping stones along the way to full electrification. They reduce emissions somewhat. We may see hybrids be commercialized for small planes in 10 years, for large planes in 20 years. etc. etc. What I'm saying is that I don't see these technologies allowing supersonic speeds, meaning supersonic=fossil.

ant6n 8y ago

Bringing our carbon footprint into the stratosphere as well (both via passenger miles, and via carbon per passenger mile). And the chances for electrification are even more remote than for subsonic planes -- at least its conceivable that electric propeller planes could work, in 50 years or so.

abhiminator 8y ago
How about hybrid propulsion systems? I agree with your assertion that complete electrification of the aviation industry is several decades away, but a hybrid solution should be optimally feasible given the advances in battery density and related industries. [0] [0] http://www.eenewseurope.com/news/hybrid-electric-aircraft-next-step-electrification-mobility-0 http://www.eenewseurope.com/news/hybrid-electric-aircraft-ne...
- delibes 8y ago
  I think battery for commercial jet airliners might be a long way off, due to jet fuel's energy density. Small planes might manage. One idea I recall from Virgin Airlines a while back was to have planes towed around the airport so they didn't have to burn fuel on the ground. Ah here we go (2006!) : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6203636.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6203636.stm
  - dx034 8y ago
    I guess we'll end up creating fuel on the ground with renewable energy and use that for jets. This would go a long way towards reducing emissions and only needs minor adjustments to planes/engines. I believe some airlines already tested alt fuel sources as a mix (although they were based on plant oil iirc).
- ant6n 8y ago
  Hybrids are stepping stones along the way to full electrification. They reduce emissions somewhat. We may see hybrids be commercialized for small planes in 10 years, for large planes in 20 years. etc. etc. What I'm saying is that I don't see these technologies allowing supersonic speeds, meaning supersonic=fossil.