Seattle-based start-up Radian Aerospace is currently developing a radical spaceplane that could be 11-times faster than Concorde.
The Raidan One is a radical aircraft designed to fly wealthy tourists anywhere in the world as quickly as possible.
Should the design prove successful, the spaceplane will fly at nearly 20,000MPH and massively eclipse the speed of the Mach 2 Concorde.
The Radian One comes as BOOM Supersonic is developing its Overture airliner, an aircraft described as the ‘son of Concorde.’
DISCOVER OUR SUPERCAR AUCTION SITE – View live auctions on SBX Cars
The Radian One differs slightly from conventional spacecraft
While it’s more spaceship than an airplane, the American craft differs from conventional rocket-powered orbiters.
Thanks to its innovative rocket-powered rail sled system, the One will take off horizontally from conventional runways rather than vertically.
There’s a two-mile-long sled that launches the craft to a speed of 537MMPH.
After that, the One’s own engines take over and take it into low orbit over the Earth.
The beauty of this is that, unlike a rocket, the One will be able to land at any commercial airport with a runway at least 10,000ft in length.
With so much power propelling the craft, the Radian One will top out at 18,000MPH or Mach 22.5.
That’s over 10 times faster than Concorde at its cruising speed of 1,350MPH.
The craft is designed to have a rapid turnaround time
Unlike traditional spacecraft, Radian Aerospace aims to have the One capable of 48-hour turnaround times.
Every example of the craft is designed to fly at least 100 missions before needing major work.
An added bonus is that it could take just 90 minutes to prepare it for flight.
The Radian One comes amid a revival of supersonic passenger travel.
BOOM is developing the Overture, a new supersonic airliner similar in looks and design to Concorde.
The Overture will cruise at a speed of Mach 1.7, roughly 1,300MPH.
It’ll do so with a greater efficiency and lower operating cost compared to Concorde.
Radian Aerospace has already begun testing its spacecraft.
It’s scaled-down PFV01 prototype recently started taxiing trials.
While only able to carry up to five crew members, the One could be a significant leap forward in commercial aviation.
We can’t wait to see them both in action!
The post Seattle startup company developing a spaceplane that will be 11 times faster than Concorde appeared first on Supercar Blondie.
