This could be quite a breakthrough. And apparently it's air breathing.

 

https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/they-built-a-hypersonic-rotating-detonation-rocket-engine-and-it-just-flew-for-the-first-time_18251/

 

Venus Aerospace has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: the company successfully launched a rocket from the ground using its air-breathing rotating detonation engine

 

Edited June 12, 2025Jun 12 by martin-w

 

I missed something.  Why are they calling this a "rocket" engine if it breathes air?

Hook

Because it's a rocket. Not a jet engine. It's literally a rocket engine that can make use of atmospheric air rather than having to carry its own source of oxygen.

Reaction Engines SABRE is also an Air breathing rocket engine, but I recall they are having issues with funding.

 

"An air-breathing rocket engine, also known as a combined-cycle engine, utilizes ambient air for combustion, eliminating the need for onboard oxidizers like liquid oxygen. This approach enables vehicles to take off horizontally from standard airports, travel at high speeds, and reach space, ultimately facilitating reusable spaceplanes and potentially hypersonic air travel. "

Edited June 12, 2025Jun 12 by martin-w

I guess I'm qualified as one!

Sadly Reaction Engines has ceased operations as funding was not forthcoming for the next step in the program.

 

The Sabre engine really seemed like it was on its way to greatness as well.  

On 6/13/2025 at 11:37 AM, rbs1000 said:

Sadly Reaction Engines has ceased operations

 

That's very sad to hear. They had some very talented people working hard on the promising tech.

Their cooling tech was remarkable. 

An air-breathing rotating detonation engine flying for the first time could totally change how rockets work. If it’s more efficient and powerful, space travel might get faster and cheaper.

Impressive stuff!

 

Quote

Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) offer the potential for significant efficiency gains compared to conventional combustion engines, with some estimates suggesting up to 25% improvement in thermodynamic efficiency. While achieving a 5% reduction in specific fuel consumption is considered a breakthrough, Aerospace America reports, RDEs aim to capture the pressure gain from detonation combustion, potentially leading to higher power output and thus lower specific fuel consumption.