Key tests for Skylon spaceplane project

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

27 April 2012 Last updated at 10:52 GMT

Jonathan Amos
Science Correspondent

Key tests for Skylon spaceplane project

UK engineers have begun critical tests on a new engine technology designed to lift a spaceplane into orbit.

The proposed Skylon vehicle would operate like an airliner, taking off and landing at a conventional runway.

Its major innovation is the Sabre engine, which can breathe air like a jet at lower speeds but switch to a rocket mode in the high atmosphere.

Reaction Engines Limited (REL) believes the test campaign will prove the readiness of Sabre's key elements.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17864782

[DJ13]

1. What genius came up with a name thats a near copy of the enemy robots on Battlestar?

[intaglio]

2. It is actually the name of something rather spectacular

This is the Skylon tower of 1951

[DJ13]

3. Thank you, never heard of it

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Also the name of an observation tower at Niagara falls ...

it seems to have been a popular name.




ETA: Given that the London Skylon looks rather like a spaceship, it seems an appropriate inspiration.

[illaghee]

5. Rant

I think in uk with how many technological discoveries we make a year we are 3rd behind china and then US but we do this on a shoe string budget. all these people who run the country havent got a clue if they want/we us to become wealthier again then we have to raise our tax payers money investment up 100 percent. then we go give millions away in aid to like india with a space program and so on. and seen as tho we give aid to china for all them years can we get some of that back. the government should be out with business to raise funding from stupidly rich billionaires who want to tag ther name to something groundbreaking. the people with the best technology win its been proven for thousands of years so UK gov sort out the priorities for the future of the uk people. me personaly i think all governments should give us money just to research because clearly we are the best.

[Phoonzang]

6. Oh wow. I didn't think anything would come of the Skylon project. Good to see

things moving along.