In the early 1930s, the United States was experiencing a surge in commercial aviation. As air travel became more accessible, the need for efficient mail delivery by air grew. During this time, Congress passed the McNary-Watres Act, a law granting Postmaster General Walter Fogel Brown significant authority to award airmail contracts. At a meeting dubbed the “Spoils Conference,” Brown chose to…
Category: Aerospace Articles
The Science Behind Flight
Have you ever looked up at an airplane soaring through the sky and wondered, “How on earth does that massive metal bird stay up there?” It is a question that fascinated people for generations, and the answer is in some intriguing science. Let’s dive into the basics of how flight works and uncover the forces…
Did you know? Orbital launches in Europe
Recently, on July 9th, 2024, at 21:00 CEST, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched Europe’s newest rocket, Ariane 6 from Kourou in French Guyana. Interestingly, the official spaceport for ESA’s launches is not in continental Europe but in South America, close to the equator. However, did you know there are also rocket launching sites in the old continent?
Did you know: The downfall of low-cost carriers
Over the past few decades, low-cost carriers (LCCs) have revolutionized the airline industry, democratizing air travel and enabling millions of passengers to fly at affordable prices. However, recent trends indicate a troubling downturn for these budget airlines, raising questions about the sustainability of their business model. Low-cost carriers emerged in the 1970s, with Southwest Airlines in…
Breaking the Sound Barrier: A Leap in Aviation History
The sound barrier is one of the oldest aviation challenges referring to the speed at which an aircraft converts from subsonic to supersonic- at 767 mph (1,235 km/h) on sea level. This is considered an impossible and risky aim, as it is quite probable for the airframe structure to collapse and to lose control. Before…
Did You Know? How the Coriolis Force Shapes Your Flight Path
Introduction Have you ever noticed your flight pathway on the in-flight screen and were curious why it appears to bend so much, particularly on long-haul flights? It may appear to be a diversion, but there is a fascinating explanation using a physics principle known as the Coriolis force. Let’s look at how this force affects…
Can I see your homework? I promise to use it only for ideas
During WWII, the United States helped USSR with military equipment such as Jeeps, tanks and 14000 airplanes through the Land Lease program and some of these aircraft were: Bell P-39 Aircobras, Bell P-63 Kingcobras, Curtiss P-40, Douglas A-20 Havocs and North American B-25s but the soviets wanted long-range bombers also. This request was declined by…
Did you know? K2-18b
Probably you have already heard of the exoplanet “K2-18b” since we briefly introduced it in the article about the James Webb Telescope. However, did you know this exoplanet is so special because it has shown hints of life?
High-speed travelling with Airbus’ Racer Helicopter
A new demonstrator from Airbus has recently performed its maiden flight on the 25th of April 2024, this time though we are not talking about an airplane, but a helicopter called RACER, the Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft.
Sailing in the Solar System
NASA’s Advanced Composites Solar Sail System to be at the forefront of the testing of this innovative propulsion technology, to become sailors of the Solar System.