ESA spaceplane project revives bankrupt firm’s hypersonic engine
Wednesday, 16 July 2025 () A bankrupt company’s propulsion system for hypersonic planes is being revived by Invictus, a new European Space Agency (ESA)-backed project aiming to build and fly a hydrogen-powered spaceplane by 2031. The proposed engine for the plane is based on so-called pre-cooler technology, developed over decades by UK aerospace firm Reaction Engines, which went bust in November. Many of Reaction Engines’ top engineers found a new home at British aerospace and defence company Frazer-Nash Consultancy, which is now leading the Invictus consortium. Other members of the group include US aircraft maker Spirit AeroSystems and Britain’s Cranfield University. Invictus aims to develop…
Wednesday, 16 July 2025 ()
A bankrupt company’s propulsion system for hypersonic planes is being revived by Invictus, a new European Space Agency (ESA)-backed project aiming to build and fly a hydrogen-powered spaceplane by 2031. The proposed engine for the plane is based on so-called pre-cooler technology, developed over decades by UK aerospace firm Reaction Engines, which went bust in November. Many of Reaction Engines’ top engineers found a new home at British aerospace and defence company Frazer-Nash Consultancy, which is now leading the Invictus consortium. Other members of the group include US aircraft maker Spirit AeroSystems and Britain’s Cranfield University. Invictus aims to develop…