Since May 2023, China’s JF-22 wind tunnel has been conducting hypersonic tests, making it well-known for its remarkable speed. This wind tunnel, which is 167 meters long and four meters wide, started construction in 2018. It simulates the conditions a spacecraft faces when it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere. This could significantly speed up China’s development of hypersonic flight systems, including missiles that may reach the USA.
Although the JF-22 is not the first to achieve high speeds, it is the first reported to simulate conditions up to Mach 30, which is 30 times the speed of sound. In comparison, the United States’ LENS II tunnel can only reach Mach 7. Furthermore, the JF-22 can run tests for approximately 130 milliseconds, while LENS II can run for only 30 milliseconds.
Mach 30 translates to about 23,000 miles per hour, which is faster than NASA’s space shuttles, which approached Mach 25. The JF-22’s unique method involves using chemical explosions for achieving hypersonic conditions, generating up to 15 gigawatts of power. Some experts believe this makes China’s wind tunnel significantly advanced compared to Western counterparts.
However, many American wind tunnels are focused on Earth-based vehicles rather than space. Concerns also exist about the air chemistry created by chemical explosions. With the U.S. Department of Defense reconsidering physical testing methods, it remains uncertain if America can create a comparable tunnel.
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