Space Shuttle Endeavour launching on March 11th 2008 on STS-123, a 17 day mission to the ISS.
The shuttle is a perfect example of the application of innovative design and material science.
Two US Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagles parked on the runway.
Military aircraft are generally subjected to much tougher conditions than commercial counterparts and use different materials accordingly.
Weighing in at over 650 tonnes the Airbus A380 is comprised of over a quater composite materials.
Airbus' new A350 aircraft will be the first commercial airliner to be made of over 50% composites.[6]
In 1969 Concorde took to the skies as the first supersonic commercial aircraft at Mach 2.02.[7]
Creating a plane that would structurally withstand the forces of supersonic flight and keep passengers comfortable was an impressive engineering feat.
The world of aviation has been advancing at an astonishing rate since the Wright Flyer took off in 1903. Piloted by Orville Wright the first heavier-than-air aircraft was constructed by him and his brother Wilbur from wood and canvas. Powered by a 12 horsepower petrol engine, the plane flew for 12 seconds, 10 feet off the ground before landing 120 feet away.[1] 66 years later man was walking on the moon!
For decades engineers have been pushing the boundaries of science by designing machines from materials not yet available. It is predominantly the availability of suitable building materials, not lack of innovation, which limits aerospace development. As such engineers and material scientists have been working hard ever since the birth of flight to create new aircraft structures.