I guess with this test they solved the main technical obstacle to having a ridiculously high-speed jet engine. I don't fully understand how it works, but by supercooling the incoming air it allows for the functioning of such badass jet engines, that they can basically replace the first stage of a conventional space rocket. In fact, it can allow for a plane that can take off from a normal runway and cruise its way into space, breathing air most of the way, thereby replacing almost the entire rocket!



Who the hell knows what other forms of transportation it allows.



I think this is pretty damn cool.







http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20510112

 

Just the next step in SCRAM jet development. SR71 has something similar and it was developed in the 60's. Wanna know what they're working on now? So do I.

 

It's only based on cooling air before it enters the jet using liquid nitrogen effectively cutting fuel consumption. It's not revolutionary. It just hasn't been done and flown before.



This has strict limitations, say the carrying capacity of liquid nitrogen, the weight of the aircraft needs to be made of the world's lightest materials, and if the nitrogen runs out or gets clogged then you're looking at overheating. Plus they want to water-cool the hull during re-entry instead of using traditional ceramic tiles which has similar implications.

 

I heard about reaction engines. IIRC it's like three ridiculously brainy guys with great ideas and no funding. Good LUCK convincing anyone in europe or america to give you money for an experimental spacecraft engine though.

 

I watched a 20min youtube video on this. One of the guys is RIDICULOUSLY smart. He said they operate on limited staffing and private funding of only 8 million USD. Call it an expensive backyard project.