London, Mar 11 (ANI): NASA scientists unveiled images for what they have termed a reusable 'spaceplane' - they hope it will elevate space tourism to new heights.
UK based manufacturer Reaction Engines claims that Skylon, an unmanned aircraft, will provide both cheap and reliable access to outer space.
The 90-metre-long craft's secret weapon is a hydrogen fuel-powered rocket engine called SABRE (Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) and was designed by the company's managing director Alan Bond.
Although intended to carry satellites, they say the ship could even pioneer a new era in space tourism, reports the Daily Mail.
However, it will be another decade before passengers can hope to book a ticket for the spacecraft.
"The engine starts by burning hydrogen with air and finishes up burning hydrogen with liquid oxygen like a shuttle engine," the Daily Mail quoted Mark Hempsell, future programs director at Reaction Engines Ltd, as telling CNN.
Because all this is in the same rocket chamber, the aircraft can take off and land in the same way as a conventional jumbo jet.
"It's a very doable system. The basics of the engine are thoroughly rooted and explored, so there is no danger they aren't going to work. We feel that this should have taken over from the shuttle a while back," he said.
Reaction Engines Ltd predict the full cost could surpass 6 billion pounds.
"If you look at the development costs of something like Airbus's A380 airliner we're not really talking about a huge amount of money.
"At present, access to space is incredibly expensive. If you can redesign spacecraft so that you can reuse them, this will reduce the costs dramatically," Hempsell said. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
