Impact of supersonic flight on marine wildlife

Spike Aerospace has concluded Phase 2 of environmental research to determine how supersonic flight will affect marine wildlife.

The company is consulting with a team of marine biologists led by Tibor Mascari to conduct the study. Throughout his four phases of research, Mascari will be looking at how the sonic boom could potentially interfere with the lives of marine mammals, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.

Many species of marine life use sound to communicate, mate, find food, fend off predators, navigate, and maintain group cohesion. “Depending on where these creatures live in the water column and what the magnitude of their vocalizations are, sonic boom activity will affect them in different ways,” says Mascari.
The magnitude of the sonic boom begins to decay as soon as it hits the water’s surface and after 30-50 meters underwater, it fades into ambient noise. Animals living deeper underwater are therefore less likely to be harmed, Mascari explains.

Mascari is optimistic about the results of his research. He believes that supersonic flight will not have a significant, detrimental effect on marine wildlife. Most endangered marine species live in coral reefs near shores. Since the FAA prohibits supersonic flight over land, most supersonic jets won’t reach speeds greater than Mach 1 until roughly 200 miles offshore. As a result, reef-dwelling species will be protected from the sonic boom’s residual noise and pressure.

Spike Aerospace is currently designing the Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet which will travel at a speed of Mach 1.6 to take customers to destinations in half the time normally required. Due for delivery in 2020, Spike S-512 jets will fly primarily over the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean from New York to London and Los Angeles to Tokyo. Spike Aerospace expects that by 2025 there may be 600 to 1000 supersonic flights per day across the oceans.

Mascari will conclude his research and present his findings by the end of April. In addition to the marine wildlife study, Spike Aerospace’s engineering team is working on developing technologies to minimize the sonic boom. The company is also conducting research in a number of other areas to understand how the advent of supersonic travel will impact the environment and developing economies.