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British Skylon Engine Passes Its Tests

Posted by Unknown on from the some-hope-for-humanity dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The BBC reports that the SABRE hybrid (part air-breathing jet, part rocket) that is intended to power the Skylon single-stage-to-orbit space plane has passed its final technical demonstration test, and is now looking for money (only £250m!) to prepare for manufacturing. If this goes ahead, travel into orbit from local airports (ideally, those close to the equator) will be possible. And quite cheaply. But might it have the same legal difficulties flying from U.S. airports as the Concorde did?"

5 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Only £250m! by bdevoe · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I sense a Kickstarter in the offing...

    1. Re:Only £250m! by CodeheadUK · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Nothing odd about it. The USPTO would grant a patent on the look and feel of dog eggs as trade dress if it were submitted.

      A chimp flinging turds with 'Approved' printed on them would be a better and more selective system.

  2. The odd thing about the Skylon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is the strobing red light on the front. Seriously, what the frak?

  3. Re:That name by Antony+T+Curtis · · Score: 5, Informative

    Good show, old chaps, but change the name. Sooner or later, a Skylon will turn on you.

    No worries. The UK Ministry of Defense communication satellites are already called "SkyNet".

    --
    No sig. Move along - nothing to see here.
  4. Misleading Title by trout007 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The engine doesn't exist yet. This was a test of the pre-cooler. It is a critical component and it was important.

    --
    I love Jesus, except for his foreign policy.