大象传媒

Science presenter Rani Price meets two scientists involved in developing a new type of jet engine that could power commercial space flights. The engine is being developed by British scientists and engineers. It is a hybrid between a conventional jet engine, and a rocket system powered by liquid oxygen.

The system will be reusable, much like an aeroplane, with no need to jettison expensive fuel tanks during the launch. However, the compression of air at Mach 5 causes superheating, so the engine will need to be cooled using a cryogenic heat exchanger. This engine technology could also dramatically cut the duration of long haul flights between countries and continents. The two engineers also describe their science education and career motivation.