There are moments when reality surpasses fantasy, and the recent success of Venus Aerospace is tangible proof of this. The company has taken a giant step towards the future of supersonic flight, successfully testing a drone equipped with a rotary detonation engine (RDRE). This cutting-edge technology could soon open the door to intercontinental travel lasting the blink of an eye.
A revolutionary concept
Supersonic drones are not an absolute novelty: already in the 50s, the US Air Force used remotely controlled supersonic jets to test air defenses, for reconnaissance in dangerous areas or as weapons equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads. However, for over 75 years, all of these aircraft had in common jet propulsion to overcome the sound barrier. Now, Venus Aerospace is taking this concept to the next level by installing an RDRE rotary motor in its latest drone.
During the test flight on February 24, the 2,4 meter, 140 kg prototype was launched from an altitude of 3.700 meters, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 0,9 thanks to a hydrogen peroxide monopropellant engine.
But the RDRE system on board promises to push the aircraft beyond the speed of sound in future flights.
What makes the rotary detonation engine so special?
In essence, it is a way to overcome the limitations of traditional rocket or jet engines, based on a much more innovative principle and without moving parts. An RDRE consists of two coaxial cylinders with a gap between them, into which a mixture of fuel and oxidizer is introduced and ignited. If done correctly, this generates a tightly coupled reaction and shock wave that propagates within space at supersonic speed, generating more heat and pressure.
The result? An engine that is lighter, simpler and at least 15% more efficient than conventional engines. This results in larger payloads or higher speeds. Venus demonstrated its RDRE's ability to sustain sustained burning a few weeks ago.
Towards hypersonic and beyond
Where will all this take us? Venus says it wants to create a reusable hypersonic spaceplane capable of carrying passengers at speeds exceeding Mach 9 (6.900 mph / 11.000 km/h). Stargazer, as it is currently called, would take off and push “gently” up to an altitude of 52km (170.000 feet), just over halfway to the Kàrmán line, and then move on to hypersonic and cover great distances in that rarefied air.
Venus suggests trips like Houston-London or San Francisco-Tokyo in just an hour. Clearly, this is an ambitious and distant goal, with a frightening amount of bureaucracy standing between Stargazer and reality. More to the point, the company is developing this engine for various military applications (I'd bet) and that's where we expect to see it in the short to medium term.
Rotating engine, a leap towards tomorrow
Despite the challenges to be faced, the success of Venus Aerospace's test flight (and the investments of other players like Destiny) represents a crucial moment in the history of aviation. The rotary detonation engine has proven that it can go a long way. Perhaps in the not too distant future booking a supersonic flight will be as simple as taking a taxi. Perhaps, the distances that today seem insurmountable will be reduced in the blink of an eye.
