Hypersonix makes progress with hydrogen scramjet engine

Hypersonix has placed an order with Amiga Engineering for producing the world’s first 3D printed fixed geometry scramjet engine.

Spartan is Hypersonix’ fifth-generation scramjet with a fixed geometry self-igniting hydrogen-powered scramjet capable of accelerating from Mach 5 to Mach 12. Additive manufacturing allows the creation of parts with a complex design and is ideal for light-weighting in the space industry.

David Waterhouse, MD Hypersonix, said, “The use of Additive Engineering to manufacture a scramjet engine will fundamentally disrupt the cost structure of scramjets and an important step in providing more affordable access to hypersonic flight.”

Michael Bourchier, MD Amiga Engineering, commented, “In a demanding industry such as aerospace, additive manufacturing offers the cutting edge in component manufacture capable of creating very complex parts in some of the most exotic materials.”

The Spartan scramjet production is supported by the Federal Government ACA Grant awarded in August 2020. Hypersonix has completed the shock tunnel testing, final design and thermal modelling. The project is on budget and is set for completion in March 2022.

Meanwhile, Hypersonix Launch Systems have also signed a framework agreement with the University of Southern Queensland. The agreement will see the two organisations work together on the Delta Velos reusable launch vehicle. The project will support the development of high-temperature composites, an essential technology for the development of Hypersonic vehicles. Hypersonix also opened its first international office in Munich, Germany, early this month.