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UK provides another funding grant to company developing revolutionary rocket technology

9th July 2021

By: Rebecca Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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The UK Space Agency has made a further grant of £3.9-million (R76.75-million) to British high-tech engineering company Reaction Engines, to further support the development of revolutionary SABRE technology. SABRE stands for Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine, which, as its name says, is an air-breathing rocket engine design – that is, it will be able to operate in both air-breathing mode in the atmosphere, like a jet engine, or in rocket mode in outer space. This will allow it to combine the fuel efficiency of a jet engine with the power and high speed of a rocket.

SABRE will be able to reach five times the speed of sound (Mach 5) during flight totally within the atmosphere, or Mach 25 if it is headed for space. It could thus power both hypersonic aircraft and space launch vehicles. But key elements of the SABRE technologies being developed by the company have much wider applications than aerospace. For example, its innovative thermal management technology could prolong the life of electric vehicle batteries.

The new grant is in addition to £50-million (nearly R984-million) of funding provided to the company by the UK Space Agency since 2015. This new State funding will be combined with £1.4-million (about R27.5-million) of the company’s own money, to finance various near-term technology demonstration activities over the next year, specifically of engine control, hydrogen combustion and thermal management technologies.   

“The innovative and disruptive nature of SABRE technology unlocks new ways of accessing space, furthering growth and sustainment of the future space economy,” affirmed Reaction Engines CE Mark Thomas. “The refreshed UK commitment towards that long-term vision is incredibly important for both Reaction Engines and the UK space industry. The ‘space technology’ we are developing is highly versatile and transformational, enabling applications here on Earth with a strong environmental focus.”

“This funding is not only going towards the development of cutting edge low carbon technology in space, but it will also boost work to decarbonise our wider transport landscape – from aviation to electric vehicles,” highlighted UK Department of Transport Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Rachel Maclean. “We will continue to invest in, and support, companies like Reaction Engines, as we look to a greener, cleaner future – including as we embark on sustainable space exploration.”

“Backed by government, UK firms are leading the way in developing space technology that can reduce costs, improve sustainability and make space more accessible as we pursue our ambitious plans to grow the sector,” stressed UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Science Minister Amanda Solloway. “Reaction Engines [is] a business that is spearheading efforts to ensure the benefits of low-carbon innovation are applied throughout the industry, while helping the UK to lead the world in space exploration.” 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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