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

1 Skylon ~ 12 tonnes ~ 2 (two) Sabre engines

[djupedal]

>"...the Sabre rocket engine will be able to take the Skylon with 12 tonnes of cargo..."

That should read "two Sabre rocket engines will be able to take a Skylon with 12 tonnes of cargo..."

That is 13.225 US Short Tons...or approximately 6 tons per engine, if the illustration is any indication.