Schlieren photography used by NASA to capture the sound waves as XB-1 broke the sound barrier. © NASA/Boom Supersonic
NASA captured an amazing image of the XB-1 prototype as it broke the sound barrier.
NASA recorded the shock waves from Boom Aerospace’s XB-1 during its supersonic flight on February 10 using specialized Schlieren photography, which reveals airflow patterns.
The newly released photo shows the aircraft breaking the sound barrier during its second test flight, reaching speeds above Mach 1.
NASA worked with Boom Supersonic to capture this Schlieren image, highlighting the changes in air density around the XB-1 and making the shock waves visible.
Boom Supersonic XB-1. © Boom Supersonic
To get the images, Boom’s chief test pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, flew the XB-1 precisely over the Mojave Desert at the right time and place.
As the aircraft passed in front of the sun, NASA’s ground team used telescopes with special filters to capture air distortions caused by supersonic speeds.
Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, said:
“This image makes the invisible visible.”
source Boom Aerospace
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