Earlier this week BAE Systems, one of the largest defense contractors in the world, bought a 20 percent stake in Reaction Engines. Through its investment of a little more than $30 million, BAE Systems is betting that the small British technology company will be able to reshape the future of commercial and space travel by developing a hybrid rocket–jet engine called Sabre (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine). If successful, the new technology could lead to low-cost space travel by allowing aircraft to launch into orbit, deploy a satellite, and return to earth for reuse—all within 48 hours. What’s more, the new technology has the potential to alter commercial flights by allowing passengers to venture anywhere around the planet in four hours.
During takeoff, the technology would work by pulling air into the engine, where it is compressed and mixed with liquid hydrogen to gain thrust. As the aircraft gains momentum, air drawn into the engine would heat to extremely high temperatures before a heat exchanger under development cools the air. Once the spacecraft exits the atmosphere, the Sabre engine would switch to full rocket mode, tapping a mix of liquid oxygen and hydrogen for power while in orbit.
Reaction Engines plans to hold a demonstration of its new Sabre technology in 2020.
