Reaction Engines Ltd
Discussion
https://www.reactionengines.co.uk
Far more interesting than the Musk stuff, these guys are just quietly getting on with developing the Reaction engine which could revolutionise travel to a far greater extent than Space X, Virgin and Blue Origin
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-475...
Far more interesting than the Musk stuff, these guys are just quietly getting on with developing the Reaction engine which could revolutionise travel to a far greater extent than Space X, Virgin and Blue Origin
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-475...
I really hope they succeed. Indeed, I have chatted with Alan Bond and his team on a number of occasions at the Farnborough Airshow and I've always been impressed with their enthusiasm and optimism. But it has been going on for decades (in various forms). It makes the SLS project look like it's on fast-track.
Eric Mc said:
I really hope they succeed. Indeed, I have chatted with Alan Bond and his team on a number of occasions at the Farnborough Airshow and I've always been impressed with their enthusiasm and optimism. But it has been going on for decades (in various forms). It makes the SLS project look like it's on fast-track.
I suspect if they'd had anything like the money thrown at them that SLS had, they'd be a hell of a lot further down the road.This is new technology, SLS Space X etc have been built on existing knowledge and therefore much easier Von Braun was developing liquid fulled rockets way back in the 30's had government backing for the V1 and V2 then the Russian and American government have poured billions to the development of this stuff and financed Musk via NASA programs So I think Reaction Engines ltd have done a remarkable job.
Slightly OT. I had forgotten - but looking at the company history on the website reminded me - that Paul Portelli, sadly no longer with us, a White Waltham pilot of long standing, was one of the first investors in the project. I remember flying a 182 - the same one James May used in one of the Top Gear races, long since written off - up to Islay with him when we happened across a missile sub on the surface in the Irish Sea - he was all for going down to have a really close look at it, I managed to talk him out of the idea as I'd guess the Navy would be a bit twitchy about that sort of thing. He was having a 2 seat Spitfire restored, but sadly never saw the project completed, although the aircraft did fly shortly before he passed away, and his ashes were spread at the airfield from the Spit.
Edited by eharding on Sunday 17th March 20:09
eharding said:
Slightly OT. I had forgotten - but looking at the company history on the website reminded me - that Paul Portelli, sadly no longer with us, a White Waltham pilot of long standing, was one of the first investors in the project. I remember flying a 182 - the same one James May used in one of the Top Gear races, long since written off - up to Islay with him when we happened across a missile sub on the surface in the Irish Sea - he was all for going down to have a really close look at it, I managed to talk him out of the idea as I'd guess the Navy would be a bit twitchy about that sort of thing. He was having a 2 seat Spitfire restored, but sadly never saw the project completed, although the aircraft did fly shortly before he passed away, and his ashes were spread at the airfield from the Spit.
Sounds like he was quite a character and visionary to have invested, sad to hear he passed away. Edited by eharding on Sunday 17th March 20:09
Max_Torque said:
Old friend of mine has just been made Engineering Director. He's a smart chap (ex F1) so it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few years in terms of publicity, development and funding etc ;-)
Someone with a background like that may help to overcome hurdles as they arise but what a fantastic opportunity to get involved in emerging technology. and technology that has the potential to make real world differences unlike some of the big splashy rocket projects that in my opinion are just a waste of time, this project has the potential make a real world impact for ordinary people.
durbster said:
The website is down at the moment and despite being a live site, is in debug mode. The engine might be very clever but their web developers aren't 
This one?https://www.reactionengines.co.uk/
Seems fine here - nothing debug related showing on the Chrome DevTools console?
The Sabre is a hybrid engine in that it can be operated as a turbojet when inside the atmosphere and can then operate as a rocket outside the atmosphere. In theory, this means it can fly off the ground like a normal aeroplane and then climb to extreme altitudes (over 25 miles altitude) where the rocket function takes over and the craft accelerates to sub-orbital or orbital speeds above the atmosphere.
The craft then re-enters the atmosphere and lands like a conventional aeroplane.
It is a single stage to orbit vehicle and is fully reusable.
The craft then re-enters the atmosphere and lands like a conventional aeroplane.
It is a single stage to orbit vehicle and is fully reusable.
Eric Mc said:
The Sabre is a hybrid engine in that it can be operated as a turbojet when inside the atmosphere and can then operate as a rocket outside the atmosphere. In theory, this means it can fly off the ground like a normal aeroplane and then climb to extreme altitudes (over 25 miles altitude) where the rocket function takes over and the craft accelerates to sub-orbital or orbital speeds above the atmosphere.
The craft then re-enters the atmosphere and lands like a conventional aeroplane.
It is a single stage to orbit vehicle and is fully reusable.
Why have others (with deeper pockets) not adopted a version of this technology? is it already protected IP?The craft then re-enters the atmosphere and lands like a conventional aeroplane.
It is a single stage to orbit vehicle and is fully reusable.
DoubleSix said:
Why have others (with deeper pockets) not adopted a version of this technology? is it already protected IP?
Is been tried. It's hard to make it work across the full range of conditions. The main issue is getting both low speed thrust and not melting at high speed.The key part of Sabre is the heat exchanger which is patented.
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