Aussie Scramjet Test Fails

ROCKET SCIENCE

Scramjets are oxygen-breathing engines that work at hypersonic speeds, giving off water as the only by-product and only needing some hydrogen to run.

Woomera - Oct 31, 2001
An attempt by a group of international researchers to achieve the worldďż˝s first supersonic combustion flight has not succeeded.

However the HyShot research team say they have recovered valuable data from yesterdayďż˝s rocket launch which will assist them in future attempts to flight test air-breathing scramjets.

Project leader, Dr Allan Paull from The University of Queensland, said he was also pleased the scramjet payload fitted onto Terrier Orion rockets survived the journey until it returned to earth.

"Although we didn't achieve all that we set out to achieve, we succeeded in gathering valuable data, and weďż˝re encouraged by the fact the payload survived one hell of a wild ride," Dr Paull said.

The experiment at the Department of Defenceďż˝s Woomera Prohibited Area, 500 kilometres north of Adelaide, was not successful because the rocket experienced flight anomalies prior to the scramjet experiment. Investigations into those anomalies are continuing.

A second experimental launch was scheduled for next week, but it is now subject to the satisfactory outcome of the investigation into the October 30 flight.

It is believed scramjets could revolutionise the launch of small space payloads, such as communications satellites, by substantially lowering costs.

ROCKET SCIENCE

Scramjets To Power Australian Space Odyssey This Month

Woomera - Oct 29, 2001
An international consortium, led by Australian researchers, is attempting to launch the world's first scramjet engine in a free flight test. Originally scheduled for this week, the test at the Woomera Protected Area, 500km north of Adelaide in outback Australia, has been delayed until Oct 30.

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