Latest news with #SassieDuggleby
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Supersonic jet set to release in 2030 will take passengers from New York to London in less than 60 minutes
Supersonic travel is moving closer to reality, after a successful test by a Texas startup that could one day fly passengers from New York to Paris in just 55 minutes. Venus Aerospace completed the world's first atmospheric test of a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), a breakthrough propulsion system that uses spinning explosions instead of steady combustion to generate thrust. The test took place on Wednesday, May 14, at Spaceport America in New Mexico, where a small rocket equipped with the new engine lifted off at 7:37am local time. Venus CEO Sassie Duggleby said: 'This is the moment we've been working toward for five years.' The company plans to use the engine for its upcoming hypersonic jet, Stargazer, which is expected to reach Mach 4 (3,069 mph), four times the speed of sound. If approved for commercial travel, the $33 million jet could complete the 3,625-mile journey between New York and Paris in under an hour, nearly three times faster than the Concorde, which flew at 1,354 mph. The current flight takes about eight hours. Venus Aerospace aims to launch the aircraft in the early 2030s, with plans to carry up to 12 passengers per flight. Compared to traditional rocket engines, RDREs offer improved efficiency and compactness, making them particularly suited for advanced aerospace applications. 'We've proven that this technology works—not just in simulations or the lab, but in the air,' Duggleby said. 'With this milestone, we're one step closer to making high-speed flight accessible, affordable, and sustainable.' Theorized since the 1980s, a high-thrust RDRE capable of practical application has never been flown in a real-world test. Andrew Duggleby, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, said: 'Rotating detonation has been a long-sought gain in performance. 'Venus' RDRE solved the last but critical steps to harness the theoretical benefits of pressure gain combustion. We've built an engine that not only runs, but runs reliably and efficiently—and that's what makes it scalable. 'This is the foundation we need that, combined with a ramjet, completes the system from take-off to sustained hypersonic flight.' Venus's RDRE is also engineered to work with the company's exclusive VDR2 air-breathing detonation ramjet, an advanced propulsion system. If approved for commercial travel, the $33 million jet could complete the 3,625-mile journey between New York and Paris in under an hour, nearly three times faster than the Concorde, which flew at 1,354 mph It uses rotating detonation technology to achieve extremely high speeds, potentially Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound or more. It pulls in air from the atmosphere instead of carrying oxygen onboard like a rocket does. Instead of slow burning, it relies on supersonic shock waves from detonations to move air and fuel through the engine rapidly. 'This pairing enables aircraft to take off from a runway and transition to speeds exceeding Mach 6, maintaining hypersonic cruise without the need for rocket boosters,' Venus shared in a statement. 'Venus is planning full-scale propulsion testing and vehicle integration of this system, moving toward their ultimate goal: the Stargazer M4, a Mach 4 reusable passenger aircraft.' If Stargazer comes to fruition, it will be the first passenger-carrying commercial airplane to go faster than the speed of sound since Concorde. Retired more than 20 years ago, Concorde flew at a maximum altitude of 60,000 feet. According to Venus Aerospace, its upcoming plane will not only be faster but will fly higher – up to 110,000 feet. Just like Concorde passengers almost a quarter of a century ago, Stargazer passengers will be high enough to see the curvature of Earth. This is where the horizon is a slight curve rather than a straight line, normally seen from 50,000 feet.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Venus Aerospace debuts potentially revolutionary rocket engine with landmark 1st flight (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Houston-based startup Venus Aerospace has completed the first-ever test flight of a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) in the United States. The launch took place on Wednesday (May 14) from Spaceport America in New Mexico. A small rocket equipped with Venus' RDRE lifted off at 9:37 a.m. EDT (1337 GMT; 7:37 a.m. local time in New Mexico). The milestone marked the first successful test of such an engine from U.S. soil and took Venus a "step closer to making high-speed flight accessible, affordable and sustainable," the company said in a statement. "This is the moment we've been working toward for five years," Venus CEO Sassie Duggleby said in the statement. The test serves as a proof of design for Venus's RDRE and keeps the company on track for runway-based high-speed flight, she added: "We've proven that this technology works — not just in simulations or the lab, but in the air." The Venus RDRE uses a compact, high-efficiency design the company hopes can eventually power aircraft up to Mach 6 — six times the speed of sound — starting from conventional runways. Compared to traditional rocket engines, RDREs offer greater thrust in smaller packages, but up until now the technology has been mostly theoretical. Normally, rocket engines burn fuel in a combustion chamber in a steady, controlled process. RDREs use a continuous detonation wave that travels in a circle within a ring-shaped chamber, which produces higher pressure and efficiency and results in increased thrust with less fuel. Related stories: — US Army launches hypersonic missile from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — Space Force aims to launch 1st 'Foo Fighter' satellites in 2027 to track hypersonic threats — Stratolaunch's Talon-A2 prototype goes hypersonic after dropping from world's largest airplane (photos) "This milestone proves our engine works outside the lab, under real flight conditions," Venus CTO Andrew Duggleby said in the same statement. "We've built an engine that not only runs, but runs reliably and efficiently — and that's what makes it scalable." The RDRE is designed to work in tandem with Venus's VDR2 air-breathing detonation ramjet — a combination the company says will enable sustained hypersonic flight without the need for a booster. (Hypersonic flight is generally defined as Mach 5 and above.) "This is the foundation we need that, combined with a ramjet, completes the system from takeoff to sustained hypersonic flight," Andrew Duggleby said. With the successful test in the books, Venus is planning full-scale propulsion test of their integrated system as it moves to qualify the design of its future Stargazer M4, a reusable passenger aircraft capable of reaching Mach 4.
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hypersonic 3,800mph ‘Stargazer' jet could now blast from London to NYC in 1 hour after Nasa-funded rocket engine upgrade
A HYPERSONIC jet could soar at thousands of miles an hour – slashing the flight time between London and New York to just over an hour thanks to a Nasa-funded engine upgrade. The Venus Stargazer has a flight range of 5,000 miles, and is set to arrive "as soon as the 2030s". 8 Venus Aerospace is working on a hypersonic plane Credit: venusaerospace 8 It could reach cruising speeds of 3,800mph Credit: venusaerospace 8 A Nasa-backed engine upgrade could make Mach 5 flights possible Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace Venus Aerospace, its creator, recently completed revealed it was planning a flight demo "later this summer". The company said that thanks to a Nasa-funded breakthrough, the "record-setting" engine system is nearly ready to try out for real. Venus hopes that its rocket engine will be able to blast passengers around the Earth in record time. "Stargazer M4 is Earth's first hypersonic, reusable aircraft," Venus Aerospace boasted. "No one has ever built a hypersonic platform that makes two-hour global transport cost-effective. Until now. "Our flagship product, Stargazer, will ascend from a central airport using advanced propulsion systems. "Our vehicle will accelerate from taxi to cruise speeds of Mach 4 at 110,000 feet with a top speed capable of Mach 9." The engine is set to feature a new Nasa-funded nozzle design. That's the part of the rocket that "shapes and directs power". This hi-tech nozzle will reportedly allow for speeds exceeding Mach 5 – or about 3,800mph. "We've already proven our engine outperforms traditional systems on both efficiency and size," said Venus Aerospace chief Sassie Duggleby. Inside nuclear-powered 'Skytanic' hotel that can stay airborne for months with 360 degree views & room for 5,000 guests "The technology we developed with NASA's support will now be part of our integrated engine platform. "Bringing us one step closer to proving that efficient, compact, and affordable hypersonic flight can be scaled." Typical flight distance between London and New York City is around 3,450 miles. Even at Mach 4 cruising speeds (around 3,070mph), the journey would take just over an hour. 8 Hypersonic flights could be here as soon as the 2030s, according to Vertical Aerospace Credit: venusaerospace 8 The company hopes that passengers will be able to reach anywhere in the world in a matter of hours Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace 8 Flights would cruise at altitudes of 170,000 feet – far higher than a Boeing 747, which usually cruises at between 35,000 and 40,000 feet Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace Venus Aerospace says that its rocket engine could be used for lots of different flight types. That includes: Spacecraft landers Low-Earth-orbit satellites Space cargo transfer vehicles Rocket kick-stages Hypersonic drones and missiles The company completed a supersonic flight test of a drone early last year. VENUS STARGAZER BY THE NUMBERS Here's what you need to know... Weight: 150,000 pounds Length: 150 feet Width: 100 feet Top speed: Mach 9 (6,900mph) Actual cruising speed: Mach 4/5 (3,000-3,800mph) Cruising altitude: 170,000 feet Picture Credit: Venus Aerospace It saw the rocket firm blast a 300lb machine to Mach 0.9 (690mph) during a 10-mile flight. Now Venus is hoping that its new Nasa-funded engine nozzle will allow for a proper flight test, bringing a 2030 commercial launch closer to reality. "This is just the beginning of what can be achieved with Venus propulsion technology," said Venus Aerospace's tech chief Andrew Duggleby. "We've built a compact, high-performance system that unlocks speed, range, and agility across aerospace, defense, and many other applications. 8 The Venus Stargazer could potentially reach top speeds of Mach 9 Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace 8 Mach 9 speeds would bring the craft close to 7,000mph Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace "And we're confident in its readiness for flight." It comes after a massive plane dubbed the 'Skytanic' is set to take to the skies by 2030. The US is reportedly planning for a 'Son of Blackbird' jet that could become the world's fastest plane. And another hypersonic jet could whisk passengers from London to Sydney in just two hours.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Hypersonic 3,800mph ‘Stargazer' jet could now blast from London to NYC in 1 hour after Nasa-funded rocket engine upgrade
A HYPERSONIC jet could soar at thousands of miles an hour – slashing the flight time between London and New York to just over an hour thanks to a Nasa-funded engine upgrade. The Venus Stargazer has a flight range of 5,000 miles, and is set to arrive "as soon as the 2030s". 8 Venus Aerospace is working on a hypersonic plane Credit: venusaerospace 8 It could reach cruising speeds of 3,800mph Credit: venusaerospace 8 A Nasa-backed engine upgrade could make Mach 5 flights possible Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace Venus Aerospace, its creator, recently completed revealed it was planning a flight demo "later this summer". The company said that thanks to a Nasa-funded breakthrough, the "record-setting" engine system is nearly ready to try out for real. Venus hopes that its rocket engine will be able to blast passengers around the Earth in record time. " Read more on hypersonic flight "No one has ever built a hypersonic platform that makes two-hour global transport cost-effective. Until now. "Our flagship product, Stargazer, will ascend from a central airport using advanced propulsion systems. "Our vehicle will accelerate from taxi to cruise speeds of Mach 4 at 110,000 feet with a top speed capable of Mach 9." The engine is set to feature a new Nasa-funded nozzle design. That's the part of the rocket that "shapes and directs power ". Most read in Tech This hi-tech nozzle will reportedly allow for speeds exceeding Mach 5 – or about 3,800mph. "We've already proven our engine outperforms traditional systems on both efficiency and size," said Venus Aerospace chief Sassie Duggleby. Inside nuclear-powered 'Skytanic' hotel that can stay airborne for months with 360 degree views & room for 5,000 guests "The technology we developed with NASA's support will now be part of our integrated engine platform. "Bringing us one step closer to proving that efficient, compact, and affordable hypersonic flight can be scaled." Typical flight distance between London and New York City is around 3,450 miles. Even at Mach 4 cruising speeds (around 3,070mph), the journey would take just over an hour. 8 Hypersonic flights could be here as soon as the 2030s, according to Vertical Aerospace Credit: venusaerospace 8 The company hopes that passengers will be able to reach anywhere in the world in a matter of hours Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace 8 Flights would cruise at altitudes of 170,000 feet – far higher than a Boeing 747, which usually cruises at between 35,000 and 40,000 feet Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace Venus Aerospace says that its rocket engine could be used for lots of different flight types. That includes: Spacecraft landers Low-Earth-orbit satellites Space cargo transfer vehicles Rocket kick-stages Hypersonic drones and missiles The company completed a supersonic flight test of a drone early last year. VENUS STARGAZER BY THE NUMBERS Here's what you need to know... Weight: 150,000 pounds Length: 150 feet Width: 100 feet Top speed: Mach 9 (6,900mph) Actual cruising speed: Mach 4/5 (3,000-3,800mph) Cruising altitude: 170,000 feet Picture Credit: Venus Aerospace It saw the rocket firm blast a 300lb machine to Mach 0.9 (690mph) during a 10-mile flight. Now Venus is hoping that its new Nasa-funded engine nozzle will allow for a proper flight test, bringing a 2030 commercial launch closer to reality. "This is just the beginning of what can be achieved with Venus propulsion technology," said Venus Aerospace's tech chief Andrew Duggleby. "We've built a compact, high-performance system that unlocks speed, range, and agility across aerospace, defense, and many other applications. 8 The Venus Stargazer could potentially reach top speeds of Mach 9 Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace 8 Mach 9 speeds would bring the craft close to 7,000mph Credit: YouTube/@venusaerospace "And we're confident in its readiness for flight." It comes after a massive plane dubbed the 'Skytanic' is set to The US is reportedly planning for a 'Son of Blackbird' jet that could become the world's fastest plane. And another hypersonic jet could whisk passengers from
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Hypersonic 3,800mph ‘Stargazer' jet could now blast from London to NYC in 1 hour after Nasa-funded rocket engine upgrade
Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science Published: Invalid Date, A HYPERSONIC jet could soar at thousands of miles an hour – slashing the flight time between London and New York to just over an hour thanks to a Nasa-funded engine upgrade. The Venus Stargazer has a flight range of 5,000 miles, and is set to arrive "as soon as the 2030s". 8 8 8 Venus Aerospace, its creator, recently completed revealed it was planning a flight demo "later this summer". The company said that thanks to a Nasa-funded breakthrough, the "record-setting" engine system is nearly ready to try out for real. Venus hopes that its rocket engine will be able to blast passengers around the Earth in record time. " Stargazer M4 is Earth's first hypersonic, reusable aircraft," Venus Aerospace boasted. "No one has ever built a hypersonic platform that makes two-hour global transport cost-effective. Until now. "Our flagship product, Stargazer, will ascend from a central airport using advanced propulsion systems. "Our vehicle will accelerate from taxi to cruise speeds of Mach 4 at 110,000 feet with a top speed capable of Mach 9." The engine is set to feature a new Nasa-funded nozzle design. That's the part of the rocket that "shapes and directs power". This hi-tech nozzle will reportedly allow for speeds exceeding Mach 5 – or about 3,800mph. "We've already proven our engine outperforms traditional systems on both efficiency and size," said Venus Aerospace chief Sassie Duggleby. Inside nuclear-powered 'Skytanic' hotel that can stay airborne for months with 360 degree views & room for 5,000 guests "The technology we developed with NASA's support will now be part of our integrated engine platform. "Bringing us one step closer to proving that efficient, compact, and affordable hypersonic flight can be scaled." Typical flight distance between London and New York City is around 3,450 miles. Even at Mach 4 cruising speeds (around 3,070mph), the journey would take just over an hour. 8 8 8 Venus Aerospace says that its rocket engine could be used for lots of different flight types. That includes: Spacecraft landers Low-Earth-orbit satellites Space cargo transfer vehicles Rocket kick-stages Hypersonic drones and missiles The company completed a supersonic flight test of a drone early last year. It saw the rocket firm blast a 300lb machine to Mach 0.9 (690mph) during a 10-mile flight. Now Venus is hoping that its new Nasa-funded engine nozzle will allow for a proper flight test, bringing a 2030 commercial launch closer to reality. "This is just the beginning of what can be achieved with Venus propulsion technology," said Venus Aerospace's tech chief Andrew Duggleby. "We've built a compact, high-performance system that unlocks speed, range, and agility across aerospace, defense, and many other applications. 8 "And we're confident in its readiness for flight." It comes after a massive plane dubbed the 'Skytanic' is set to take to the skies by 2030. The US is reportedly planning for a 'Son of Blackbird' jet that could become the world's fastest plane.
