See what a Virgin Galactic supersonic jet could look like

Virgin Galactic's core business is the space tourism business, which

strives to send well-endowedcustomers to the edge of space and back on their planes. But for years, Virgin Galactic has also expressed interest in using its space technology to develop high-speed travel from point A to point B. The concept involves using suborbital rockets to move people from one point on Earth to another in much less time than normal. airplane.

Recently Virgin Galactic beganLook closely at supersonic aircraft instead of suborbital missiles to get travelers where they want to go as quickly as possible. In May, the company announced it was receiving assistance from NASA to develop the company's supersonic aircraft. NASA has decades of experience with supersonic vehicle technology and the agency is currently working on a “quiet” high Mach jet engine called the X-59 QueSST.

Artistic rendering of the Virgin Galactic supersonic aircraft. Credit: Virgin GalacticArtistic rendering of the Virgin Galactic supersonic aircraft. Credit: Virgin GalacticArtistic rendering of the Virgin Galactic supersonic aircraft. Credit: Virgin Galactic

Along with the presentation of new modelsSupersonic Jet Virgin Galactic is announcing another partnership, this time with Rolls-Royce, to develop the engine needed for the aircraft. Both companies have signed an optional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together.

Virgin Galactic has outlined several details forof this aircraft, noting that it will travel at an altitude of 18 km and that it "will help pave the way for the use of modern environmentally friendly aviation fuel." However, many questions remain as to how long it will take to develop the aircraft, as well as how much it will all cost. With room for about a dozen passengers, it seems unlikely that ticket prices will be affordable for the middle class. For example, Virgin Galactic has a $ 250,000 ticket for its tourist space plane. The company says the supersonic jet can accommodate individual cabin plans, as well as business and first class seating, indicating that the price could be dear.

Today's announcement precedes Virgin Galactic's quarterly earnings report, which is scheduled for a later day after the markets close.

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