13 comments

  • arjie 2 days ago

    This is so exciting. The only ones I know working on this are Boom (unless they’ve pivoted entirely into AI DC turbines). Between this and the wind-turbine-blade air transporter it’s an exciting time for aviation. Now if we can only transition off leaded fuel!

    • bearcobra 2 days ago

      On one hand I think we should applaud when regulators target the specific issue (like noise or pollution level) vs using some other metric to achieve their desired outcome. On the other hand I don’t have a ton of faith that current administration will set the targets at levels that have the general public’s interest in mind

      • foobarqux 2 days ago

        0.11 pound per square foot is what is being proposed. That's 108 decibels. Which is between standing next to a lawn mower and standing next to a car horn. I don't see how anyone will tolerate that in practice.

        https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/db

        • yborg 39 minutes ago

          This will free manufacturers to build supersonic private jets for the superwealthy to cruise over flyover America. With normal steerage air travel becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average person, I can't see airlines buying supersonic airliners given fuel costs, they couldn't fill them for what they would have to charge.

          • The people speaking against this seem to be being flagged. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48742093 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48742078

            I do think this is ridiculously anti-social. Sonic booms are incredibly disruptive. This might be better, perhaps, but all odds are on this still shaking your house pretty significantly when it goes overhead.

            • IAmGraydon 2 days ago

              That's funny - I had no idea it was actually banned in the first place. I live near a number of large military bases and hear the fighter jets break the sound barrier on a somewhat regular basis.

              • ck2 15 minutes ago

                who is rushing out the press releases with just fake news?

                NASA only this past month finally did a supersonic flight with their development vehicle

                they don't even have data/results yet for the "thunk" test

                that's a decade away from commercial success

                average person won't even be able to afford a supersonic flight

                this administration is beyond bizarre, even when they aren't being destructive they are just wasting everyone's time/money

                • mattas 2 days ago

                  Not sure how this does anything to alter the laws of physics. But I guess it's a step in the right direction.

                  • 7e 2 days ago

                    [flagged]

                    • pibaker 2 days ago

                      If sonic booms become a routine occurrence over America, I expect to see a backlash against supersonic flight unifying everyone between chemtrail conspiracy theorists and the greenpeace. The anti data center backlash we have today will look like child's play.

                      • imglorp 2 days ago

                        If you really want to make an impact on the noise floor, ban gasoline leaf blowers.

                        • yulker 2 days ago

                          [flagged]

                          • goldfishgold 2 days ago

                            [flagged]