NASA Funds Supersonic Jet of the Future - as part of the news series by GeoBeats.

An incredible aircraft that looks like something straight of out Star Wars has garnered $100,000 in NASA funding.

The diamond shaped, four point ‘flying wing’ design that can transfer to supersonic mode by simply shifting 90 degrees has gained much attention. The aircraft is aimed at the future jet travel market for passengers.

One of the project representatives states “I am hoping to develop an environmentally friendly and economically viable airplane for supersonic civil transport in the next 20 to 30 years.”

The supersonic jet will be capable of carrying passengers to far destinations in significantly less time than traditional aircraft. Engineers believe this design will also eliminate the sonic boom heard when the sound barrier is broken by traditional aircraft designs. The bi directional aircraft will point in one direction for subsonic flight, then rotate another way for supersonic mode. The jet engines, located on the top of the aircraft operate separately, allowing them to point forward while in motion.

What do you think of the new aircraft design?