“This engine makes hypersonic economy a reality,” asserts Andrew Duggleby, CEO of Venus Aerospace. His company’s groundbreaking drive aims to make hypersonic travel feasible, even putting the Concorde to shame. The first hypersonic drone is anticipated to take flight with this technology as early as 2025.
The drive, known as VDR2, is a combination of an orbital detonation engine (RDRE) and a ramjet engine. This design enables cruising speeds of up to Mach 4, or 4,900 km/h, making a flight from London to Houston, Texas possible in under two hours. In comparison, the top speed of the Concorde was nearly 2,200 km/h.
➤ Read more: Stargazer: Supersonic aircraft to fly at Mach 9
Without Moving Parts
The VDR2 engine produces 2,000 pounds of sustained thrust without the need for moving parts. Essentially, it is a hollow tube into which fuel is injected. There are no turbine blades present, which are typical in conventional jet engines.
A cross section of the VDR2 engine.
© Venus Aerospace
In a ramjet engine, air is not compressed by turbine blades. Rather, air flows quickly into the engine and compresses itself due to the engine’s design. The fuel is mixed in afterward, igniting and producing expanding gas that exits the engine and generates thrust.
➤ Read more: Supersonic travel: These start-ups want to follow the Concorde
The drawback is that ramjet engines only function effectively at high speeds, often only at supersonic speeds. They also present challenges for materials, as the interior can heat to over 2,000 degrees Celsius.
At lower speeds, they consume significant amounts of fuel; their efficiency is mainly at supersonic speeds. Thus, aircraft with ramjet engines typically require booster rockets to reach the required speed.
Orbital Detonation Engine as Support
Venus Aerospace is counting on an orbital detonation engine, which also has no moving parts. This type of rocket engine consists of two cylinders, with a smaller cylinder inside a larger one. Fuel mixed with an oxidizing agent is injected into the cavity between the two and ignited. The detonation creates a shockwave that travels at supersonic speeds. It is only at this speed that we refer to it as a detonation, as opposed to deflagration.
➤ Read more: Drone for revolutionary hypersonic propulsion flown for the first time
The shockwave spreads like a snail around the smaller cylinder. Unlike pulse detonation engines, multiple detonation waves can travel through the combustion chamber simultaneously, resulting in continuous thrust. This is also a benefit of orbital detonation engines, allowing for a fuel saving of up to 15 percent.
Drive for Stargazer
The aim is to utilize this engine for Venus Aerospace’s Stargazer supersonic aircraft in the future. The aircraft features a conventional jet engine to take off, elevating passengers to a flight altitude of approximately 50 kilometers. Only at this altitude will the VDR2 drive be activated. The development is also suitable for military applications.
“This engine does it Hypersonic economy a reality”: This is Andrew Duggleby, CEO of Venus Aerospace is convinced. His company’s revolutionary drive is intended to make hypersonic travel possible, even putting the Concorde in the shade. The first hypersonic drone is expected to fly with it as early as 2025.
The drive, called VDR2, is a mixture of one orbital detonation engine and a ramjet engine. This should allow cruising speeds of up to Mach 4, i.e., 4,900 km/h, making a flight from London to Houston, Texas possible in under 2 hours. For comparison, the Concorde’s top speed was almost 2,200 km/h.
➤ Read more: Stargazer: Supersonic aircraft to fly at Mach 9
Without Moving Parts
The VDR2 delivers 2,000 pounds of sustained thrust and operates without moving parts. Essentially, it is an empty tube into which the fuel is injected, eliminating the need for a turbine with rotating blades found in conventional jet engines.
How Ramjet Engines Work
In a ramjet engine, air is not compressed by turbine blades. Instead, air flows quickly into the engine and compresses itself due to the engine’s structure. The resulting mixture of fuel ignites, causing expanding gases to exit backward and generate thrust.
➤ Read more: Supersonic travel: These start-ups want to follow the Concorde
Challenges of Ramjet Engines
The main challenge is that ramjet engines only operate efficiently at high speeds—primarily supersonic speeds. Additionally, the materials used must withstand interior temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius. At lower speeds, these engines are inefficient and consume significant fuel, often requiring booster rockets to reach the appropriate speed for efficient operation.
Orbital Detonation Engine: A Game Changer
Venus Aerospace is integrating an orbital detonation engine into their framework, which also has no moving parts. This rocket engine consists of two cylinders—one larger and one smaller placed within it. Fuel and an oxidizing agent are injected between these cylinders and ignited, causing a shockwave that travels at supersonic speeds. It is at this speed that detonation occurs versus deflagration.
➤ Read more: Drone for revolutionary hypersonic propulsion flown for the first time
Advantages of the Orbital Detonation Engine
The orbital detonation engine enables multiple detonation waves to pass through the combustion channel simultaneously, allowing for continuous thrust. This design offers up to 15% fuel savings compared to traditional engines.
Plans for the Stargazer Aircraft
The ultimate goal for Venus Aerospace is to implement the VDR2 engine in their Stargazer supersonic aircraft. This aircraft will utilize a traditional jet engine for takeoff, ascending to optimal flight altitudes of around 50 kilometers, before activating the VDR2 drive.
The VDR2’s design also lends itself to potential military applications, indicating a broad range of future uses.
Technical Specifications of VDR2
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | VDR2 (Detonation Ramjet Engine) |
| Thrust | 2,000 pounds |
| Cruising Speed | up to Mach 4 (approx. 4,900 km/h) |
| Flight Time (London to Houston) | Under 2 hours |
| Operational Temperature | Over 2,000 degrees Celsius |
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The VDR2 engine by Venus Aerospace encapsulates a significant step toward the future of hypersonic travel. With its innovative design, operational efficiency, and remarkable speed capabilities, it aims not only to revolutionize civilian air travel but also to pave the way for advanced military aviation technologies. The aviation world stands on the brink of a new era with Venus Aerospace leading the charge.
