Why is supersonic commercial travel not prevalent? Simple: Noise. Air transport would be a lot different today if the Concorde didn’t produce a sonic boom when in motion, in turn scaring the shit out of everyone below. Instead of encouraging everyone to buy earplugs, NASA wants to tackle the issue head on. This is the next NASA X-Plane, a supersonic aircraft that reduces the sonic boom to a “gentle thump.” Think less “Holy shit the world is ending” and more “Did someone just close their car door?” Lockhead Martin scored the $247.5 million contract, and the plan is to produce the first aircraft by 2021. The plane will fly at 55,000 feet and reach speeds of 940 mph. Test flights are scheduled to begin in 2022 over select U.S. cities.
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Huckberry’s Essential Holiday Gift Guide
Unzip your coat and have some mulled wine on the house—you’ve arrived at your final gifting destination: The Holiday Gift Guide. It’s like your friendly neighborhood one-stop holiday shop, except instead of balsa wood ornaments, ours is packed with thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. Future heirlooms, small-but-significant stocking stuffers, and gear for getting out there (or staying in)—are all right here. There’s no music playing in the background though, so you’ll just have to hum Bing Crosby while you click around instead.
