Hypersonic Skylon Jet Will Break Mach 5

Getting anywhere in the world within four hours seems impossible, but a UK company, Reaction Engines Ltd., successfully completed testing of a new propulsion system that could one day make that possible.

The idea behind the REL system is similar to what we now see with current jetliners, but would function as a rocket.

Called SABRE, it burns hydrogen and oxygen but gets the oxygen from the atmosphere, much like a jet engine breathes fuel. The system would be affixed to a 275-foot Skylon spaceplane. Taking off and landing like a regular airbus, the vehicle would then burn its onboard fuel supply once it reaches speeds of about Mach 5.

Because…
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