Development of Hypersonic Aircraft Invictus for Fast Travel and Satellite Launch
The Invictus aircraft aims to achieve speeds of Mach 5, enabling potential intercontinental travel in under three hours. Its first test flight is projected for 2034, with significant implications for both commercial aviation and military applications.
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The Invictus project targets reaching speeds of Mach 5, equivalent to over 3,800 miles per hour, with a planned flight altitude of approximately 80,000 feet. Initial technology demonstrations will not carry passengers but will assess the feasibility of faster intercontinental travel.
Possible testing sites include Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay and Spaceport Machrihanish in Scotland, with high-speed trials planned over the North Atlantic to minimize sonic boom impact on communities. The project design phase is expected to conclude this year, with engine and hydrogen system tests scheduled for next year, and hypersonic testing targeted for 2036.
The European Space Agency (ESA) supports the development of cooling systems to handle extreme temperatures associated with hypersonic speeds. Invictus may enhance Europe's competitiveness in space access and reusable technology development.
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