SCRAMSPACE Invades Germany - The Australian hypersonic propulsion program SCRAMSPACE continues to progress towards its next flight demonstration. Led by the University of Queensland Centre for Hypersonics, the engine is now being tested in Germany’s most advanced hypersonic windtunnel. Data from the tests will allow for fine-tuning the supersonic combusting ramjet engine design, reducing risk for the upcoming flight experiment in Australia.
SCRAMSPACE I is scheduled for launch at the Woomera Test Range in Australia in March 2013. The 1.8-metre-long spacecraft will be transported to an altitude of 340 kilometres by two rocket stages. After leaving the atmosphere, the scramjet will separate from the launcher and control rudders will stabilise it for the return journey. During the return flight, the vehicle will be accelerated to Mach 8 – about 9900 kilometres per hour. The part of the experiment important to the scientists takes place at an altitude of between 27 and 32 kilometres. This is where the scramjet will ignite and a wide range of instruments will analyse the combustion.
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