Supersonic Photography
With a lot of the Remote Visual Inspection technology in use today having originated in aeronautics, it’s no surprise that organizations like NASA continue to push the envelope and develop new methods of visual inspection and measurement. As seen in the photograph below, NASA uses a modern version of schlieren imagery to visualize supersonic flow phenomena with full-scale aircraft in flight. Appearing like ripples in a pond, the imaging of these shock waves using the sun as a background, allows scientists to see the way the air density changes around supersonic aircraft.
Image Credit: NASA
This is one of two exciting visual inspection technologies being developed by NASA to improve and understand supersonic flight – and potentially to develop designs that will mitigate the noise level generated when these aircraft break the sound barrier – replacing the sonic boom with a soft thump.
The overall goal of the schlieren imaging research is to develop a system to image the shock waves propagating from the bottom of the aircraft to the ground. This necessitates imaging a side view of the aircraft in near level flight.
Image Credit: NASA/Ken Ulbrich
So how is this going to improve the tools we’re currently using for remote visual inspection? The beauty of experimentation is that we don’t know. Rest assured though, with this much time and expertise being expended on visual imaging technologies and assessing flow data – we can be certain the future will hold some interesting developments in both flow measurement technology and visual imaging and make it’s way into the tools we use on the job every day.
Jason De Silveira, founder and CEO of Nexxis Technology, has always had a sharp focus on robotics, education, and real-world solutions. Throughout his career, he’s stayed committed to pushing the boundaries of robotics and helping industries strengthen their approach to asset integrity and robotic inspection.
With a background in operations, commissioning, and start-ups of new facilities, Jason leads Nexxis with a hands-on understanding of what real projects demand. Under his leadership, Nexxis has become known for developing innovative robotic systems that deliver better data, boost safety, and take the risks out of confined space and working-at-height inspections.
What makes Jason stand out? A passion for innovation, a proven ability to bring people together, and a genuine drive to help clients get the right solution — not just an off-the-shelf fix. With a strong focus on customisation and future-ready technology, he’s helping to shape the next generation of robotics.
