Speedy Hypersonic Spaceship Capable of Traveling from London to New York City in an Hour
Europe's Invictus Space Plane Aims to Revolutionise Space Travel
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a new research program called Invictus, with the ambitious goal of developing a hypersonic space plane capable of Mach 5 (3,386 mph). This project, led by the U.K. consulting firm Frazer-Nash, aims to revolutionise space travel by managing the extreme heat challenges of hypersonic flight, enabling faster and more affordable access to space.
At the heart of the Invictus project is the incorporation of the "pre-cooler" technology from Reaction Engines Ltd.'s SABRE engine. This innovation chills superheated air in a fraction of a second, allowing aircraft engines to travel at hypersonic speeds. The pre-cooler technology is crucial in tackling the critical issue of thermal management at hypersonic speeds, enabling sustained and controlled flight at Mach 5 speeds.
The Invictus vehicle will be a test platform, enabling engineers to interchange thermal protection materials, control software, and propulsion components between flights. This approach will provide real-world data crucial for advancing hypersonic technologies. The Invictus space plane will take off horizontally, similar to an airplane, contrasting with traditional vertical rocket launches.
The Invictus team aims to have a viable concept ready within 12 months, with the first flight planned for 2031. If plans stay on track, the Invictus space plane could be operational by this date, positioning Europe as a potential leader in technologies that could transform rapid global transport and space access.
According to Tomasso Ghidini, head of ESA's mechanical department, Invictus could revolutionise both terrestrial and orbital transportation. Ghidini believes that the project could pave the way for a new era of space travel, making it faster, more efficient, and more affordable.
The Invictus project is not the only initiative in this field. The U.S. Air Force operates a robotic orbital space plane called the X-37B, and China has a similar aircraft called Shelong. Additionally, U.S. companies Sierra Space Corp., Dawn Aerospace, and Radian Aerospace have introduced space planes that take off like planes and soar like rockets. If successful, the Invictus space plane could join these pioneering projects in redefining the future of space travel.
References: [1] European Space Agency. (2021). Invictus: Europe's hypersonic space plane. Retrieved from https://www.esa.int/Applications/Launch/Invictus_Europe_s_hypersonic_space_plane [2] SpaceNews. (2021). ESA's Invictus space plane project to develop hypersonic reusable vehicle. Retrieved from https://spacenews.com/eus-invictus-space-plane-project-to-develop-hypersonic-reusable-vehicle/ [3] Space.com. (2021). Europe's Invictus space plane aims to revolutionize space travel. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/european-space-agency-invictus-space-plane-aims-to-revolutionize-space-travel [4] Aviation Week Network. (2021). ESA's Invictus programme begins preliminary design phase for hypersonic spaceplane. Retrieved from https://www.aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/esas-invictus-programme-begins-preliminary-design-phase-hypersonic-spaceplane
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