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Hypersonix Launch Systems is an Australian space startup developing scramjet and scramjet-based access-to-space technology. In particular, the company is focused on reusable "green-fuelled" launch technology.[1] The company specialises in hypersonic vehicle and scramjet engines to provide sustainable and affordable access to space.[2]
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 2019 |
| Founders | Michael Smart & David Waterhouse |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | |
| Services | Scramjet-augmented orbital launch |
| Website | hypersonix |
Details
editHypersonix was founded in 2019. The company aims to commercialize scramjet technology similar to that developed at the University of Queensland's Centre for Hypersonics, during programs such as HIFiRE[3] and Scramspace.
Test vehicle
editTo test and demonstrate its technologies, the company is building Delta-Velos, the minimum viable product, that will employ composite materials, is targeted to cover a range of 2500 km speed of Mach 12 and be reusable. It will be a small vehicle 5.5 m in length with a 2 m wingspan.[4]
Engine
editSpartan is Hypersonix's experimental scramjet engine. Using hydrogen as fuel and atmospheric air as oxidiser, the engine is described as having an operational range from Mach 5 to Mach 12, containing no moving parts and intended to power its satellite launch systems.[5]
Launch system
editIn 2021 Hypersonix Launch Systems teamed up with the University of Southern Queensland to create a re-usable hypersonic UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to be named Delta Velos.[6]
The proposed launch system called Delta-Velos Orbiter will use three stages:[7]
- a rocket booster Boomerang, 0–20 km altitude, speeds 0 to Mach 5, returning to the launch site after deploying the wings;
- a winged scramjet glider, 20–40 km ascend with speed increasing from Mach 5 to Mach 8, also flying back to Earth and performing a landing;
- a third rocket stage 40 km to orbit;
all powered by green hydrogen, with the atmospheric flight of the stage two allowing for flexible routing and choice of the latitude. The payload capacity is only projected to be 50 kg to LEO SSO (microsatellies range).[7]
In March 2023, Hypersonix was chosen by the United States Department of Defense to develop a high-speed aircraft that can test hypersonic technologies, under the Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT) program.[8]
Links
editReferences
edit- ^ Killoran, Matthew (23 November 2020). "Brisbane business set to enter space race". Courier Mail. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "ABOUT US". HYPERSONIX. 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ Smart, Philip (February 2018). "Hypersonix - The SPARTAN story". Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Meet Delta-Velos". Hypersonix. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Meet SPARTAN". Hypersonix. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Hypersonix Launch Systems to develop reusable space vehicle". InnovationAus. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ a b "Meet Delta-Velos Orbiter". Hypersonix. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ Pentagon chooses Australian firm to build hypersonic test aircraft, Courtney Albon, DefenseNews, 2023-03-18