China’s Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Outpaces US Development

China’s JF-22 wind tunnel is now open for hypersonic tests. It has been running since May 2023. This wind tunnel is 167 meters long and four meters wide. It can simulate very high speeds, which helps develop fast spacecraft.

The JF-22 can simulate speeds up to Mach 30. Mach 30 is 30 times faster than the speed of sound. This speed is faster than the most advanced wind tunnel in the United States, called LENS II, which can only reach Mach 7. The JF-22 can run tests for up to 130 milliseconds, while LENS II can only run for 30 milliseconds.

The JF-22 uses chemical explosions instead of mechanical devices to create its speeds. This makes it very powerful, generating up to 15 gigawatts of power. Some experts say this wind tunnel is ahead of others by 20 to 30 years.

Many wind tunnels in America focus on testing aircraft, not spacecraft. Concerns exist about the air conditions caused by chemical explosions. It is unclear if the United States will have a wind tunnel as advanced as China’s.

How much do you know?

When did the JF-22 wind tunnel start running?

May 2022

May 2023

June 2023

April 2023

How long is the JF-22 wind tunnel?

150 meters

167 meters

200 meters

130 meters

What is the maximum speed that the JF-22 can simulate?

Mach 20

Mach 25

Mach 30

Mach 15

How fast is Mach 30 compared to the speed of sound?

10 times

20 times

30 times

40 times

What is the maximum test duration of the JF-22?

100 milliseconds

130 milliseconds

50 milliseconds

60 milliseconds

What is the maximum speed that LENS II can reach?

Mach 5

Mach 6

Mach 7

Mach 8

The JF-22 wind tunnel is located in the United States.

True False

LENS II can run tests for a longer duration than the JF-22.

True False

Chemical explosions are used in the JF-22 to generate speeds.

True False

The JF-22 is considered to be 20 to 30 years ahead of other wind tunnels.

True False

Many wind tunnels in America are focused on testing spacecraft.

True False

The JF-22 can simulate higher speeds than the LENS II wind tunnel.

True False

The JF-22 wind tunnel has been running since .

The JF-22 can simulate speeds up to Mach .

The LENS II wind tunnel can only reach speeds of Mach .

Chemical explosions in the JF-22 wind tunnel generate up to gigawatts of power.

The maximum test duration of LENS II is milliseconds.

Many wind tunnels in America focus on testing , rather than spacecraft.

This question is required