Spaceplane Concept Receives Euro Funding

draevil writes "BBC News reports that the novel "Skylon" spaceplane design of British firm Reaction Engines has received funding to proceed with its proof-of-concept design for an air-breathing rocket engine. If successful, the Sabre rocket engine will be able to take the Skylon with 12 tonnes of cargo from a runway, to orbit and then back to that runway without the need for disposable components or a piggy-back ride on a larger aircraft. Should the design prove viable, it could see first use within ten years."

Comments

Re:Issues in a spaceplane

[MichaelSmith]

Since it will accelerate all the way to orbit there shouldn't be a problem getting fuel out of the tanks. For burns in orbit a hydrazine based reaction control system should be sufficient.

Liquid oxygen is as compact as oxygen can be made. For fuel, kerosene is more compact than hydrogen.

I don't see an issue with guidance. An iPhone will do a pretty good job of it in this day and age.

BTW I don't think this space plane thing will work but I do think the engines would be great for a high speed military vehicle. Something to get a payload to the target really fast. It could do unpowered semi ballistic lobs as well.

Re:This is REALLY, REALLY stupid.

[MichaelSmith]

I think it is a way to develop an unmanned hypersonic bomber, without owning up to the fact for most of the development cycle.