X-43A airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system
Historical NASA X-43A Hyper-X airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system using gaseous hydrogen and atmospheric air, with gaseous silane used as the ignition source. NASA records three unpiloted research vehicles, Mach 6.8 and Mach 9.6 powered flights in 2004, and approximately ten seconds of scramjet operation after booster separation; this row remains the distinct integrated-system identity.
Identity
- Aliases
- Hyper-X scramjet
- Domains
- aviation
- Identity Level
- integrated-system
- Kind
- scramjet
- Name
- X-43A airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system
- Status
- historical
Details
- Description
- Historical NASA X-43A Hyper-X airframe-integrated scramjet propulsion system using gaseous hydrogen and atmospheric air, with gaseous silane used as the ignition source. NASA records three unpiloted research vehicles, Mach 6.8 and Mach 9.6 powered flights in 2004, and approximately ten seconds of scramjet operation after booster separation; this row remains the distinct integrated-system identity.
- Developers
- First Flight Date
- 2004-03-27
- Propellants
- gaseous hydrogenatmospheric air
- Retirement Date
- 2004-11-16
Links
- Official Url
- https://www.nasa.gov/reference/x-43a/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 29, 2026 at 07:56:57 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 22, 2026 at 02:07:54 UTC
Other
- Sources
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-14
- Note
- NASA documents the hydrogen-fueled X-43A airframe-integrated scramjet, the three research vehicles, Mach 6.8 and 9.6 flights, and approximately ten seconds of powered scramjet operation after booster separation.
- Publisher
- NASA
- Title
- X-43A Hyper-X
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-21
- Note
- The NASA technical report describes the X-43A as a hydrogen-fueled, airframe-integrated scramjet and documents gaseous silane ignition, nitrogen pressurization and inerting, and coolant systems used during the engine test.
- Publisher
- NASA Technical Reports Server
- Title
- A Chief Engineer View of the NASA X-43A Scramjet Flight Test