Spaceplane Concept Receives Euro Funding 193
draevil writes "BBC News reports that the novel "Skylon" spaceplane design of British firm Reaction Engines has received funding to proceed with its proof-of-concept design for an air-breathing rocket engine.
If successful, the Sabre rocket engine will be able to take the Skylon with 12 tonnes of cargo from a runway, to orbit and then back to that runway without the need for disposable components or a piggy-back ride on a larger aircraft.
Should the design prove viable, it could see first use within ten years."
Re:Issues in a spaceplane (Score:4, Funny)
Liquid oxygen is as compact as oxygen can be made. For fuel, kerosene is more compact than hydrogen.
I don't see an issue with guidance. An iPhone will do a pretty good job of it in this day and age.
BTW I don't think this space plane thing will work but I do think the engines would be great for a high speed military vehicle. Something to get a payload to the target really fast. It could do unpowered semi ballistic lobs as well.
Re:This is REALLY, REALLY stupid. (Score:3, Funny)