Aviation history has just been written over the Baltics. A spaceplane has done something no one has ever done before: it has ignited an “aerospike” engine, otherwise known as an aerodynamic wedge engine, in flight (on a prototype spaceplane). It may seem like a technical detail, but it is a breakthrough that could change the way we get to space forever. And now I will tell you why.
La Germany at the forefront of space
In the heart ofEurope, the startup Polaris Spaceplanes is redefining the boundaries of space aviation. Their prototype MIRA II just completed a historic test over the Baltic Sea, demonstrating for the first time ever the operation of an aerodynamic wedge rocket engine during flight.
The vehicle, 5 meters long and with a mass of 229 kilograms, achieved remarkable performances. It generated a thrust of 900 Newtons, accelerating at 4 meters per second squared (enough to lift a 90 kilogram pilot). This success is particularly significant considering that it comes after the failure of the previous prototype MIRA I, which disintegrated in flight last May.
The spaceplane that changes the rules
The heart of this innovation is the AS-1 engine, powered by kerosene and liquid oxygen. During the test, the vehicle took off using four turbine engines, then successfully fired its main engine for three seconds, covering a distance of 10 kilometers. Despite a small leak in the fuel tank and some minor damage to a removable panel, the fuselage remained intact. A significant step forward from previous attempts.
The aerodynamic wedge engine technology is an idea that engineers have been pursuing for 70 years, but no one has ever been able to test in flight before. What is it?
A revolution in space propulsion
The innovative design is based on a wedge-shaped nozzle, surrounded by combustion chambers. The wedge forms one side of the nozzle, while the other is created naturally by the airflow during flight. This system allows the virtual nozzle to continuously adapt to the vehicle's speed and altitude. If it works as predicted by theoretical calculations, this technology will allow us to reach space with a single stage, eliminating the need for the traditional multi-stage structures of current rockets.
La Germany It thus places itself at the forefront of this technological revolution, strengthening the role ofEurope in the aerospace sector.
Space Plane, the Future of Flight
Polaris' plans are ambitious. If the MIRA II and III prototypes prove to be effective, the next step will be to build Nova, a larger vehicle 7-8 meters long.
The final goal is even more ambitious: the development of Aurora, a reusable spaceplane for cargo transport at hypersonic speeds. A project that could revolutionize not only space transportation, but also intercontinental connections on Earth. The success of this test represents a crucial moment for the European aerospace industry. It shows that startups from the Old Continent can compete at the highest levels in a sector traditionally dominated by large corporations and government agencies.
The Promise of a New Space Age
This success opens up exciting scenarios for the future of space exploration. The possibility of reaching orbit with single-stage vehicles could make space travel cheaper and more accessible. For theEurope , Germany, this achievement represents a major step forward in the commercial space race. The technology developed by Polaris Spaceplanes could soon translate into practical applications, from cargo transport to scientific research.
The MIRA II test is not only a technical success, but also a symbol of the innovative capabilities of the European aerospace industry. It shows that the future of space travel could be closer (and more European) than we think.
