Latest news with #Stargazer
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.
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
Could this futuristic jet cut fuel use and emissions by 80 per cent? JET SET World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with 'supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FUTURISTIC jet that ditches windows for 'supernatural vision' is set to take to the skies by 2030 – aiming to combine speed, efficiency, and a new king of in-flight experience. The Phantom 3500 is the latest transonic aircraft in development, offering an unconventional take on modern private air travel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Built on the revolutionary tech proven by our laminar flow technology demonstrator, the Phantom 3500 delivers transonic speeds at a fraction of the price Credit: Otto Aviation 6 The Phantom 3500 is Otto Aviation's next-generation aircraft, engineered to redefine efficiency, range, and performance Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin Credit: Otto Aviation Developed by Otto Aviation in California, the Phantom 3500 is designed to cruise through the skies at altitudes of 51,000 feet while delivering a smooth, fuel-efficient ride for four to six passengers. It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin. Why no windows? According to engineers, they're a structural nightmare. Windows add weight, weaken the fuselage, and disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, all of which reduce fuel efficiency. By removing them, Otto has created a near-perfect aerodynamic body that glides through the air with minimal resistance. The Phantom 3500 is all about laminar flow, a scientific term for smooth, uninterrupted airflow over the fuselage. This is achieved with a precision-shaped carbon-fibre hull that reduces drag, burns less fuel, and extends range. The company estimates fuel savings of up to 35 per cent compared to traditional jets, with emissions potentially slashed by 80 per cent. Instead of feeling boxed into a metal tube, passengers will step into an 800-cubic-foot luxury cabin wrapped in digital 'windows'. High-definition screens span both walls and the ceiling, showing real-time footage from outside the aircraft. It's more immersive than a regular porthole – and a lot bigger too. The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility. It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jets – meaning access to smaller, regional airfields. The Phantom 3500 isn't alone in pushing the boundaries of flight. Across the Atlantic, Venus Aerospace is working on the Stargazer, a hypersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 4 and beyond. Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s. The Stargazer uses a rocket-based propulsion system and a revolutionary new nozzle design to reach speeds of up to Mach 9. It's being billed as the first reusable hypersonic aircraft that could make two-hour global travel a reality. Between Otto's transonic windowless jet and Venus Aerospace's hypersonic speedster, the future of flight is shaping up to be faster, cleaner, and far more stylish. With the Phantom 3500, jet-setters may soon be swapping window seats for a high-tech view that's better than the real thing – all while flying smoother, higher, and greener than ever before. 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 6 The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility Credit: Otto Aviation 6 Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
World's newest luxury transonic jet swaps windows with ‘supernatural vision' and prepares to fly passengers by 2030
A FUTURISTIC jet that ditches windows for 'supernatural vision' is set to take to the skies by 2030 – aiming to combine speed, efficiency, and a new king of in-flight experience. The Phantom 3500 is the latest transonic aircraft in development, offering an unconventional take on modern private air travel. 6 Built on the revolutionary tech proven by our laminar flow technology demonstrator, the Phantom 3500 delivers transonic speeds at a fraction of the price Credit: Otto Aviation 6 The Phantom 3500 is Otto Aviation's next-generation aircraft, engineered to redefine efficiency, range, and performance Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin Credit: Otto Aviation Developed by Otto Aviation in California, the Phantom 3500 is designed to cruise through the skies at altitudes of 51,000 feet while delivering a smooth, It swaps traditional windows for ultra-realistic high-definition screens, offering passengers panoramic virtual views in a sleek, seamless cabin. Why no windows? According to engineers, they're a structural nightmare. Windows add weight, weaken the fuselage, and disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, all of which reduce fuel efficiency. Read more on Technology By removing them, Otto has created a near-perfect aerodynamic body that glides through the air with minimal resistance. The Phantom 3500 is all about laminar flow, a scientific term for smooth, uninterrupted airflow over the fuselage. This is achieved with a precision-shaped carbon-fibre hull that reduces drag, burns less fuel, and extends range. The company estimates fuel savings of up to 35 per cent compared to traditional jets, with emissions potentially slashed by 80 per cent. Most read in Tech Instead of feeling boxed into a metal tube, passengers will step into an 800-cubic-foot luxury cabin wrapped in digital 'windows'. High-definition screens span both walls and the ceiling, showing real-time footage from outside the aircraft. It's more immersive than a regular porthole – and a lot bigger too. The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility. It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current The Phantom 3500 isn't alone in pushing the boundaries of flight. Across the Atlantic, Venus Aerospace is working on the Stargazer, a hypersonic aircraft that could travel at speeds of Mach 4 and beyond. Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s. The Stargazer uses a rocket-based propulsion system and a revolutionary new nozzle design to reach speeds of up to Mach 9. It's being billed as the first reusable Between Otto's transonic windowless jet and Venus Aerospace's hypersonic speedster, the future of flight is shaping up to be faster, cleaner, and far more stylish. With the Phantom 3500, jet-setters may soon be swapping window seats for a high-tech view that's better than the real thing – all while flying smoother, higher, and greener than ever before. 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 6 The jet will be powered by twin turbofan engines and features short, wide wings for greater lift and versatility Credit: Otto Aviation 6 Backed by NASA, it's aiming to shrink the London-to-New York journey to just over an hour, with a commercial debut also targeted for the 2030s Credit: Otto Aviation 6 It's expected to fly 3,200 nautical miles on a single tank and can use shorter runways than many current business jet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
On Space Firsts
Daily Quiz | On Space Firsts Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit YOUR SCORE 0 /7 RETAKE THE QUIZ 1 / 7 | Who was the first woman in space in 1963? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Valentina Tereshkova SHOW ANSWER 2 / 7 | What first was achieved on November 3, 1957? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : The dog Laika, the first living creature, was launched into space by USSR SHOW ANSWER 3 / 7 | What was the popular name of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO-2), which in 1968 became the first space telescope? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Stargazer SHOW ANSWER 4 / 7 | On August 25, 2012, which spacecraft travelled beyond the 'heliosphere' and became the first to reach interstellar space? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Voyager 1 SHOW ANSWER 5 / 7 | What pioneering feat did South Africa's Dennis Tito achieve when he went to space on a Soyuz TM-32 mission in 2001? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : He became the first 'Space tourist' SHOW ANSWER 6 / 7 | Which moonwalker has the distinction of being in the first Space Shuttle mission in 1981? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : John Young SHOW ANSWER
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
