Scramjet trialled in SA outback
 

From Nine MSN News

Australian scientists hope they've moved the world closer to a future where supersonic air travel is the norm and a Sydney to London flight takes only two hours.

An international team, led by aviation scientists from the University of Queensland, launched a rocket carrying a scramjet - an air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engine.

A rocket took the scramjet to an altitude of 314 kilometres about 1.45pm (CDT) above Woomera, in the South Australian outback, a spokeswoman for the Hyshot program said.

For the rest of the Story go to

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=92441

Thought I'd get in early.......... anyone know where I can buy a scramjet rating?

At M8. Sounds like it could be fun :} .

Re SCRAMJET RATING.....
 

Certainly do!
Sign here.........................
With full banking details and we will bill you later...........and,
By The Way, we pay by the hour of Flight Time, (Our Very Generous Contract Rates)..........
i.e. 2 hrs each way SY - LHR,
x 5 trips per day
= 10 hrs Flight Time per day @ say, $24.78 per hour, less the rating costs, less meals consumed, less uniform allowance,..........
You will have to pay ME for 'The Privelege' of being the first - and getting your name in the 'History Books'.....Photo is extra if required.
P.S. Expect legal action re 'noise abatement' for making annoying sonic-plus booms over Sub Continent / Europe en route.....thus upsetting the mating rituals of the 'Ubangi' Tribe, and others.
You now HAVE your name in the paper, and, unfortunately, the court costs just ate up any remaining pay, and the Baillif will be around in the morning to collect what he can for the Lawyers Fees....
Don't laugh!
And you wanted to do what??:ok:

At Mach 8 at 35km (115 000ft) your TAS is 4900 kts and your TAT is 3100 degC. Whilst researching an engine that might power a two hour flight to LHR is a good first step, there are some serious airframe issues that will also have to to be solved. ie How do you cope with 3100 deg C temperatures and what about dealing with a rapid depressurisation at 115 000ft? I don't think we'll see it in our lifetime (not in a commercial RPT aircraft at least).

Too right. Next thing people will be suggesting we put a man on the moon or launch a space station.

How much are those tickets into space costing with Virgin???