Taraya Hypersonic Test Program              

Taraya will begin flight testing in the known flight regime prior to being cleared for rocket flights. The progression of rocket flights will be gradual up to the test area of the speeds at which Neecenow will cruise. It is likely Taraya will be flight ready prior to any prototype hypersonic airliner engine exists, however the early trials will centre upon aerodynamic and sonic boom research.

Taraya will begin flights gradually assessing hypersonic development engines over subsonic, supersonic and then hypersonic performance range. This will culminate in sustained hypersonic flights proving the reliability of each development engine. After the aircraft are built, each will be put through a flight test program, prior to operational service to ensure the type performs safely. This will be in 3 stages:

Stage 1: Initial flight testing (Transonic - Stratospheris atmosphere)

Stage 2: Advanced Flight tests (including rocket tests)

Stage 3: Hypersonic test program (airframe aerodynamics, sonic boom reduction [N-wave], intake tests and other pre-Hypersonic engine pre-program power plant testing)

The winners of the hypersonic engine production programme will bring their design to the Taraya program. Failing this, Briggs Aerospace Technologies will scale up its concepts to prototype status. Taraya will then go on to developing the production hypersonic airliner engine and airframe refinement. This will be the most protracted part of the Taraya test program, with research continuing over 2-3 years prior to certification. The early work will be refining technology for the AFG Neecenow.

The AFG Neecenow prototype will accelerate the development into airline service, at this stage Taraya will accentuate the needs of this programme. These types will merge conventional certification requirements with new standards developed for hypersonic operations. This phase is akin to the transition from propeller aircraft to jets.  AFG Hypersonic test program will combine development for the ARFG programme, bringing ICAO  and FAA certification to the type. The ARFG prototype will be able to be certified much faster than the AFG using the latters experience.

Taraya at this stage will begin full testing for transatmospheric flight into Space for the J2000 HYT, refining technology and flight design for the type. With the entry of the first HYT's into service Taraya's role will gradually change to refining hypersonic technologies and testing as required plus further studies.

Taraya test Neecenow operational aspects and hypersonic flight considerations such as;

1. Hypersonic navigation
2. Hypersonic manoeuvring, including emergency simulations
3. G-loads for comfortable operation with all types of passengers from all age groups
4. Emergency descents for decompression simulation and G-measurements
5. The effect of the rotation on the Earth versus Rotovection
6. Temperature changes in the atmosphere affect on ride
7. N-wave reduction 
8. Supersonic let-down area model testing
9. Hypersonic material proving
10. Life support systems and back up systems
11. Hypersonic systems proving (heat/cold)
12. Hypersonic engine and aircraft turn-around time reduction
13. Environmental considerations 
14. Hypersonic engine operation and maintenance scheduling
15. Maintenance training manuals derived
16. Head to head flights to obtain separation guidelines in relation to shockwave/intake activity

Taraya will be the first aircraft to attain orbit under its own power. The expected orbital ceiling the prototypes will be able to attain is heights up to 600km, while lifting up to 5 tonne payloads. 

The early test programme will mainly centre upon re-entry formats. More radical an objective to the program is the focus on what is called a zero-alpha re-entry. This means instead of raising the nose of the aerospaceplane to 50° to the airflow as the Space Shuttle used to, Taraya will re-enter the atmosphere at a nose attitude level to the oncoming air. 

This type of re-entry has significant advantages over the Space Shuttles method, it is safer and more comfortable to the crew. This type of descent means all the heat is concentrated to the frontal area, so rather than having to configure the entire aircraft with high grade heat resistant materials, only the frontal areas will need heavy duty heat shielding. This means weight and money can be saved, giving a higher payload weight for a lower cost.  The Space Shuttle was in a very dangerous  attitude regarding stability - had the Orbiter run out of fuel  the Shuttle would have departed controlled flight too easily. The level attitude means controlled flight is much easier to maintain.

Test parameters will involve many hours of test flying, with high mission rates produced by having several examples in operation and round-the-clock style maintenance and staffing to ensure test sessions are completed. Multiple teams will review data with a once a week review with all teams comparing data.

 With the J2000 entry into service, Taraya flights will move into development testing to enhance hypersonic technology. This includes testing refinements to reduce fuel consumption and new fittings for both airframes and engines. The four Taraya's will also be used in limited Space launch duties and be available for rescue missions.