GE Aerospace is developing a new type of hypersonic vehicle or missile that combines rotating detonation engine (RDE) combustors for a turbine engine with a dual-mode ramjet/scramjet. The RDE component aims to offer a more efficient approach to a turbine-based combined cycle propulsion system than traditional turbine engines. The project is being supported by DARPA, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Missile Defense Agency. GE recently acquired Innoveering LLC, a small company that specialized in advanced hypersonic propulsion technology.
Venus Aerospace is developing a hypersonic aircraft called Stargazer that can carry about a dozen passengers and travel at Mach 9, or 6,905 mph, at an altitude of 170,000 feet. The aircraft will use a rotating-detonation engine that burns 20% less fuel than a conventional engine. The company recently successfully tested a prototype at its Spaceport Houston headquarters. Stargazer will take off with conventional jet engines and transition to rockets once it reaches altitude. The company will begin hypersonic flight testing with a 20-foot drone that it hopes will reach Mach 5 before building the Stargazer prototype. Other firms, including Sierra Space and Hermeus, are also pursuing hypersonic aircraft concepts.
Venus Aerospace is developing a hypersonic aircraft called Stargazer that can carry about a dozen passengers and travel at Mach 9, or 6,905 mph, at an altitude of 170,000 feet. The aircraft will use a rotating-detonation engine that burns 20% less fuel than a conventional engine and has been successfully tested using a room-temperature storable propellant. The Stargazer will take off with conventional jet engines and transition to rockets once it reaches altitude. The company hopes to begin hypersonic flight testing with a 20-foot drone that will reach Mach 5 before building the Stargazer prototype. Other firms, including Sierra Space and Hermeus, are also pursuing hypersonic aircraft concepts.
Venus Aerospace, a company co-founded by Andrew and Sassie Duggleby, is working on building a hypersonic aircraft that can travel at Mach 9, or more than 11,000 kilometers an hour. The aircraft will take off and perform a 10-minute boost with its rocket engine, sending it to an altitude of approximately 50 km. The company is using a new type of engine based on "rotating detonation" to increase fuel efficiency and has recently achieved liquid peroxide and Jet A detonation. The company has also begun testing drones to refine the shape of its plane.
