What's new

Scramjet test scheduled in Sth Australia

Paul

Veteran
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
1,102
Reaction score
0
The latest phase of an international aviation project that could ultimately cut flying times from Australia to Britain to just a few hours begins in the South Australian outback this week.

The launch of a rocket powered by the Hyshot III scramjet engine is scheduled to take place at the Woomera rocket range on Friday.

The project involves research scientists from the University of Queensland and British company QinetiQ.

Another launch involving Hyshot IV, a collaboration between the university and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is scheduled for later this month.

In Friday's test a Terrier Orion rocket will launch from Woomera fitted with a scramjet or air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engine.

Scramjets are set to revolutionise the launch of small space payloads, such as communications satellites, by substantially lowering costs.

Its developers say they could make flights of only several hours between Australia and Britain possible instead of almost 24 hours which it takes at the moment.

Project leader Allan Paull, from the University of Queensland's Centre for Hypersonics, said Australia had established an international standing in scramjet research.

"The university reported the development of a scramjet that achieved more thrust than drag in ground testing in 1993," he said.

Yahoo News
 

Latest posts

Back
Top