This Hypersonic Jet Is About to Go All the Way – Watch as It Gets Ready for Its First Major Test Flight!

In 2025, aviation history might be rewritten with the introduction of a hypersonic jet capable of traveling from London to Texas in just two hours. This cutting-edge aircraft, named the Venus Stargazer M4, is gearing up for its first major test flight. With the ability to soar through the skies at a staggering speed of Mach 6—equivalent to 3,600 miles per hour (5,795 kilometers per hour)—this futuristic jet could revolutionize air travel as we know it.

Venus Aerospace and Velontra, the innovative companies behind this marvel, are optimistic that hypersonic travel will soon be a reality. Powered by a state-of-the-art rocket engine, the Venus Stargazer M4 will be capable of reaching unparalleled speeds and altitudes, enabling it to cut travel times drastically. Eric Briggs, Velontra’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed his excitement about the project, saying, “We can’t wait to dig in, make the first one fly, and ultimately perfect an engine concept that has lived mostly in textbooks but never as a production unit in the air.”

A New Era of Hypersonic Travel

If successful, the Venus Stargazer M4 could collapse global travel times like never before, making long-haul flights nearly obsolete. The idea of traveling halfway around the world in a fraction of the time it currently takes is no longer just a dream. However, Venus Aerospace and Velontra aren’t the only players in this game. Several companies and agencies are racing to perfect hypersonic and supersonic aircraft, each pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in air travel.

One of these contenders is the XB-1, often referred to as the “Son of Concorde.” This jet recently completed its third test flight, achieving new milestones by reaching an altitude of 15,000 feet and a speed of 267 miles per hour (232 knots). While these numbers may not seem impressive compared to hypersonic speeds, the XB-1 is part of a bigger mission. It is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to develop supersonic aircraft that can fly faster than sound without causing the infamous sonic booms.

Tackling the Sonic Boom Problem

The supersonic Concorde, which was once a symbol of advanced air travel, was eventually banned due to the disruptive noise caused by sonic booms. For decades, commercial supersonic flights have been prohibited in the U.S. and U.K. because of this issue. NASA and Lockheed Martin are now working together to solve this problem, hoping to develop quieter supersonic planes that produce only a mild sonic “thump” rather than a loud boom. Each test flight gathers data to improve the technology and make quieter, faster-than-sound travel a possibility once again. “Reaction to the quieter sonic ‘thumps’ will be shared with regulators,” NASA said in a statement. This data could eventually lead to the lifting of restrictions on supersonic travel over land.

A Global Race for Hypersonic Innovation

The hypersonic race doesn’t end with Venus Aerospace, Velontra, or NASA. China is also developing its own hypersonic aircraft, reportedly capable of traveling at speeds six times faster than the Concorde. With several countries and companies vying for dominance in this new era of air travel, the future of aviation could change drastically in just a few short years.

Despite the advancements, significant hurdles remain. Commercial supersonic and hypersonic flights face strict regulations due to noise concerns and the potential environmental impact. However, as technology evolves and new quieter aircraft are developed, regulatory bodies in both the U.S. and U.K. are beginning to reconsider their stance on faster-than-sound travel.

Supersonic vs. Hypersonic: What’s the Difference?

While the terms “supersonic” and “hypersonic” are often used interchangeably, they do have distinct meanings. Supersonic simply refers to any aircraft that travels faster than the speed of sound, which is approximately 767 miles per hour (1,235 kilometers per hour). On the other hand, hypersonic flight occurs at speeds of five times the speed of sound or more—around 3,836 miles per hour (6,174 kilometers per hour). So while all hypersonic planes are supersonic, not all supersonic planes can reach hypersonic speeds.

As we look toward 2025, the Venus Stargazer M4’s upcoming test flight marks a monumental step forward for the future of air travel. Should it succeed, the possibilities are endless. Not only could we drastically reduce flight times across the globe, but we might also witness the dawn of a new age in transportation—one that brings the world closer together faster than ever before.