Three unpiloted X-43A research aircraft were built. ![]() Hyper-X research began with conceptual design and wind tunnel work in 1996. Careful analyses and design were applied to reduce risks to acceptable levels even so, some level of residual risk was inherent to the program. In addition, the rocket boost and subsequent separation from the rocket to get to the scramjet test condition had complex elements that had to work properly for mission success. No vehicle powered by an air-breathing engine had ever flown at hypersonic speeds before the successful March 2004 flight. It undertook challenges never before attempted. The eight-year, approximately $230 million NASA Hyper-X program was a high-risk, high-payoff research program. Ultimate applications include future hypersonic missiles, hypersonic airplanes, the first stage of two-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicles and single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicles. Researchers have worked for decades to demonstrate scramjet technologies, first in wind tunnels and computer simulations, and now in an airplane in flight.
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