ORLANDO, Fla. — Imagine traveling from New York to London in less than 15 minutes. It sounds like something from a science fiction movie, right?
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But thanks to researchers at the University of Central Florida, this futuristic dream might soon become a reality.
Dr. Kareem Ahmed, a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is leading the charge at UCF.
“Hypersonic technology has the potential to transform the way we travel and explore the universe,” Dr. Ahmed said. “We’re working on creating engines that can generate incredible thrust, making it possible to reach incredible speeds.”
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UCF has just launched a new research center called the HyperSpace Center. This center is focused on developing technology that can propel vehicles at incredible speeds – up to 13,000 miles per hour! This kind of technology is called hypersonic, and it could revolutionize how we travel both on Earth and in space.
So, how does it work? Well, it’s a bit complicated, but essentially, hypersonic technology involves using powerful engines to accelerate vehicles to speeds much faster than sound. Think of it like a supercharged rocket.
The HyperSpace Center is working on creating these powerful engines. They’re experimenting with different designs and materials to make them as efficient and reliable as possible. If they’re successful, this could lead to a new era of high-speed travel.
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But it’s not just about fast travel. Hypersonic technology could also be used for space exploration. It could help us reach distant planets and asteroids much faster than we can now.
UCF’s HyperSpace Center is a big deal.The U.S. Air Force is a key partner in this research, providing funding and expertise. We also found out the US Dept of Defense is providing more than $20 million in funding to support Dr Ahmed’s research here at UCF.
It’s a major step forward in the development of hypersonic technology. If they succeed, it could change the way we travel forever.
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