Pulsed plasma rocket promises a wild acceleration in space travel

A round trip to Mars – with our current technology – would take about two years: nine months to get there, three months of hangin’ out, waiting for the relative positions of Mars and Earth to line up closely again, then another nine months back. Howe I… Continue reading Pulsed plasma rocket promises a wild acceleration in space travel

World’s first commercial spaceplane in final stages before debut ISS flight

The world’s first winged commercial spaceplane has arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, its final destination before its first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: … Continue reading World’s first commercial spaceplane in final stages before debut ISS flight

Groundbreaking spaceplane crashes before world-first aerospike rocket test

The MIRA I, from German aerospace startup Polaris Raumflugzeuge, was traveling at approximately 105 mph (169 km/h) during takeoff when a “landing gear steering reaction” plus a side wind caused a “hard landing event,” rendering the space plane inoperab… Continue reading Groundbreaking spaceplane crashes before world-first aerospike rocket test

Video: Hypersonic rotating detonation engine in sustained test burn

A revolutionary alternative to conventional rockets that uses controlled explosions has completed its first long-duration engine test as part of Venus Aerospace’s partnership with DARPA to develop a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE).Continue Rea… Continue reading Video: Hypersonic rotating detonation engine in sustained test burn