Engine helps the plane reach Mach 6 speed

Venus Aerospace's rotary detonation rocket engine-integrated ramjet engine can propel the aircraft to speeds of more than 7,400 km/h.

Venus Aerospace has unveiled a groundbreaking engine for high-speed aviation. The 2000 lb Venus Detonation Ramjet (VDR2) was recently unveiled at the Up.Summit event, according to Interesting Engineering . The development marks a major milestone in hypersonic flight technology , with the potential to transform air travel by allowing airlines to cover huge distances at incredible speeds. The new engine will make hypersonic flight a reality, according to Andrew Duggleby, chief technology officer of Venus Aerospace.

Simulation of an aircraft equipped with the VDR2 engine. (Photo: Venus Aerospace).

A key challenge for hypersonic flight is creating engines that can maintain sustained thrust at extreme speeds. Current hypersonic systems rely largely on gliding, propelling themselves to high altitudes and speeds using rockets before gliding back to the ground. While effective, such an approach is impractical for commercial airlines that need to maintain powered flight throughout the entire journey.

The VDR2 addresses the challenge with a simple design, based on a ramjet engine. This is a jet engine that uses the forward motion of the aircraft to compress the intake air, thus eliminating the need for complex and fragile fan blades of a conventional jet engine. Venus Aerospace reinforces the traditional ramjet design by integrating a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) into the VDR2.

This technology increases both thrust and efficiency through a process called continuous detonation. During this process, fuel and oxidizer are injected into the narrow gap between two cylinders and ignited, creating a supersonic shock wave that rotates inside the gap. This method creates much more force than the combustion method.

In addition, the combination of a ramjet engine and RDRE technology results in an engine that is not only powerful but also durable. It can push the aircraft to Mach 6 (7,408 km/h) and reach an altitude of 52,000m. In addition, Venus Aerospace predicts that the VDR2 is 15% more efficient than traditional engines, making it more suitable for commercial use.

The first test flight of the VDR2 is scheduled for next year. If all goes to plan, the project will have a major impact on the future of supersonic aircraft and has the potential to revolutionize air travel as a whole.