SPACE TRANSPORTATION’S MACH 4 SUPERSONIC JET TO BE READY FOR 2027
Beijing-based Space Transportation (also known as Lingkong Tianxing Technology) has completed the first successful test flight of its Yunxing Mach 4 supersonic passenger jet, a prototype that reached twice the top speed of the legendary Concorde. The milestone marks the most significant step toward commercial hypersonic travel since the last Concorde flight in 2003, and positions China's Space Transportation at the forefront of a global race to reinvent long-haul aviation.
What Is the Yunxing Plane?
The Yunxing is a hypersonic passenger aircraft prototype developed by Space Transportation (Lingkong Tianxing Technology), a Beijing-based aerospace startup. The drone-scale prototype completed its Mach 4 test flight, demonstrating a speed of approximately 3,069 mph at altitudes exceeding 20,000 meters. The aircraft is designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), eliminating the need for dedicated runways and opening up possibilities for urban vertiport infrastructure. The long-term commercial vision calls for a 50-passenger aircraft stretching 90 feet and weighing 70 tons, capable of crossing the Atlantic in under two hours.
How Fast Is Mach 4 in Practical Travel Terms?
At Mach 4, the Yunxing would reduce a London to New York journey from the standard eight hours down to approximately 1.5 hours. Beijing to Los Angeles, currently a 12-hour-plus ordeal, would take under three hours. These numbers represent a fundamental shift in how distance is perceived for business and premium travel. As Robb Report notes, even a two-passenger non-piloted version of the Yunxing is targeted for readiness by 2027, with the timeline for the UAV variant now potentially accelerated to 2026 given the pace of development.
The Broader Hypersonic Aviation Race
Space Transportation is not operating in a vacuum. US-based Venus Aerospace is pushing toward Mach 6 with its Stargazer concept, while Boom Supersonic's Overture jet targets Mach 1.7 for commercial passengers. What sets the Yunxing apart is its VTOL capability and the sheer speed ambition at Mach 4. The company's test success, covered in depth by the South China Morning Post, shows that hypersonic commercial aviation is no longer purely theoretical. The industry consensus is now shifting from whether it is possible to when it will be commercially viable.
What Comes Next for Space Transportation?
Following the successful Mach 4 prototype test, Space Transportation has stated its target is to have a full-scale supersonic jet ready by 2027. Further testing phases will refine aerodynamics, propulsion stability, and passenger safety systems before any commercial certification process begins. Elon Musk's theoretical interest in point-to-point supersonic VTOL travel aligns closely with the Yunxing's design philosophy, underlining how this concept has moved from fringe speculation to a major industry direction within just a few years.
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Photo: SPACE TRANSPORTATION / YUNXING
