Startup Venus Aerospace has conducted the first successful flight test of a hypersonic engine in the US
By ForGeeks American company Venus Aerospace has tested a new type of engine capable of speeds of up to Mach nine. The technology could potentially change the commercial aviation and defense industries.
The test took place at Spaceport America in New Mexico. Venus installed the engine on a 12-foot rocket designed and assembled in-house. The test was the first U.S. flight test of a hypersonic engine of this type. Despite challenging weather conditions, the launch was successful on the first attempt.
CEO and co-founder Sassy Duggleby emphasized that the launch was proof of the technology’s performance outside of laboratory conditions: “We’ve been testing the engine for four years on a bench in Houston, but now we’ve shown that it’s ready for real-world use.”
CEO and founder Sassy Duggleby emphasized that the launch was proof of concept.
What RDRE is and how it differs
The engine used is the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE), or “rotating detonation rocket engine.” It differs from traditional ones due to its higher energy efficiency, compact size, and potentially 10 times lower cost.
The technology could have both military and civilian applications, according to Venus Aerospace. If commercialized successfully, it would make it possible to travel intercontinental distances many times faster. For example, a flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo could take less than two hours instead of the current eleven.
The next step is to combine with a straight-through engine
Venus is also developing a hybrid propulsion system based on the RDRE and a straight-through engine. This combination will allow the aircraft to take off from conventional runways and reach hypersonic speeds without the use of rocket boosters. The target date for first flight is the 2030s. The company believes it will give Venus leadership in the new category of high-speed aviation.
The company says it will give Venus the lead in the new category of high-speed aviation.
Duggleby says each leap in the speed of transportation technology has brought with it global change: “The move from trains to cars, then to planes and jet engines has always led to increased connectivity, and with it, economic and political development.”
The hypersonic technology market is one of the fastest growing
Venus Aerospace is gearing up for its next round of funding. The global market for hypersonic solutions is projected to exceed $12 billion by 2030. Defense, space startups and major air carriers are driving demand.
The Startup Venus Aerospace conducted the first successful flight test of a hypersonic engine in the U.S. was first published on ITZine.ru.
