Unlocking the Future of Hypersonic Flight and Space Access

Transcription

1 SABRE Unlocking the Future of Hypersonic Flight and Space Access Tom Burvill Head of Applied Technologies 28/02/18 Proprietary information

2 Contents Introduction Sixty Years of Space Access The SABRE Engine An Introduction to Reaction Engines The SABRE Development Programme The SABRE Engine Test Facility Hypersonic Flight and Space Access 2

3 Sixty Years of Space Access Proprietary information

4 Accessing Space The Rocket Launcher The rocket has carried us to great places however current launchers are: Expensive (~$10,000/kg) Long Lead Time (years to build, months to prepare) Low Reliability (2-5% failure rate) As well as making existing Space products very expensive, they have also led to a severe restriction on the development of the Space market, despite the current evolution in the technology Today little change in launch vehicle technology in almost 60 years

5 The Winged Launch Vehicle - The Spaceplane A winged-vehicle (much like an aircraft) offers the prospect of a lower cost, more reliable and responsive access to Space The key to achieving a successful Spaceplane concept is to develop a high performance multi-role propulsion system. This is the origin of the SABRE engine Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine

6 The SABRE Engine Proprietary information

7 The SABRE Engine Air Bypass Duct Bypass Burners SABRE - Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine is a new class of engine able to propel both highspeed aircraft and space vehicles Air Compressor Thrust Chamber Core Thermodynamic Cycle Air Intake Pre-cooler SABRE is capable of Mach 5+ in air-breathing mode, and speeds up to orbital velocity in rocket mode 7

8 SABRE REL s HX technology is a key element of the SABRE engine 1. Cool Cool the hot incoming air from 1000 o C in 1/20 th second (Mach 5) 2. Regenerate Re-inject the heat captured into the engine to drive the turbo-machinery, thereby reducing fuel consumption 3. Integrate Combine jet and rocket engines to create an engine class capable of high Mach atmospheric and Space flight in a single engine 8

9 Specific Impulse (Efficiency) (seconds) Engine thrust to weight SABRE Performance SABRE provides improved performance over a wide speed range for thrust and efficiency compared with other propulsion systems 1 Operates from a standing start 2 High fuel efficiency in air breathing mode up to Mach Switches to rocket mode when altitude too high to use atmospheric air 5 Step change in thrust to weight ratio when switched to rocket mode to power the platform into space Mach Number 4 Fuel efficiency drops to align with conventional rocket when switching to rocket mode as liquid oxygen has to be used instead of atmospheric air Mach Number 9

10 An Introduction to Reaction Engines Proprietary information

11 Overview Reaction Engines Limited (REL) is a private UK company developing an advanced combined cycle air-breathing engine SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) SABRE is a new class of engine combining an air-breathing mode of operation, with the option to transition to pure rocket mode for space access, all in a single engine installation Developed as part of the SABRE programme, REL s core IP is centred on ultra light weight heat exchangers, which have applications in other market sectors 11

12 Recent Developments In December 2015, BAE Systems invested 20.6m for 20% of REL. REL also secured a UK Government Grant of 60m During 2016 and 2017 the company has matured through building an industry experienced team, reshaped the SABRE programme to fit customer needs, secured test facilities and raised industry and public profile Most recently (Sept-2017), REL has contracted with DARPA for funding to conduct a hot HX test in the USA Further investment will fund REL s programme to develop and test a SABRE core engine demonstrator to valid the technology 12

13 Locations Reaction Engines Inc. Colorado, US US Office, Business Development HEADQUARTERS Culham, Oxfordshire, UK SABRE TM programme, heat exchanger design and test SABRE TM TF1 rocket test facility Westcott, Buckinghamshire, UK (operational 2020) Manufacturing Solutions Division, Didcot Park, Oxfordshire, UK Colorado USA 13

14 Reaction Engines Sites Reaction Engines HQ: Culham, Oxfordshire UK Phase 3 Test site Rocket Test Site: Westcott, Buckinghamshire, UK J-Site Pre-cooler Testing R o c k e t Te s t S i t e We SABRE s System t c o t t, Test site B u c k i n g h a m s h i r e, U K Engineering & Design Manufacturin g REI: Castle Rock, CO, USA 14

15 Team REL has built a diverse and talented team, with a culture of innovation and delivery 15

16 The SABRE Development Programme Proprietary information

17 SABRE Core Programme The SABRE Development Programme H HOT HX TEST 2020 SABRE TM CORE TEST INTEGRATED TEST FLIGHT TEST FIRST ENGINE APPLICATION 17

18 Pre-cooler testing at Reaction Engines Reaction Engines Pre-cooler coupled to a Rolls-Royce VIPER jet engine. Test verified Pre-cooler operation ( ). Inlet air cooled to < -100 C 18

19 Rocket Engine Testing Adaptive nozzles have potential for improved engine performance Joint programmes with Airborne Engineering Ltd and University of Bristol

20 Nozzle tests at Westcott

21 The SABRE Engine Test Facility Proprietary information

22 Test Facility 1 Testing the SABRE Demonstrator TF1 is being built at the Westcott Venture Park, near Aylesbury Test Facility 1 has been designed to enable testing of the SABRE demonstrator in Construction is underway with completion scheduled for September

23 Test Facility Progress January 2018 November 2017

24 Hypersonic Flight and Space Access Proprietary information

25 Space Access SABRE enables new mission profiles low cost, responsive and reliable SpaceWorks Source: USAF 25

26 SABRE-powered Hypersonic Vehicles Huge speed range: 0 to Mach 5+ Brussels to Sydney in 5 hours Could be used for suborbital flights Ground-testable sooner and more affordably than alternatives *artists illustrations of vehicle concepts

27 Heat Exchanger Applications Proprietary information

28 Applications HIGH PERFORMANCE & EFFECTIVENESS The REL heat exchangers have characteristics that make them attractive to a number of adjacent applications ULTRA COMPACT & LIGHT WEIGHT CHALLENGING WORKING FLUID & HIGH TEMP

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