Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumINVICTUS - Europe's new hypersonic test platform (hydrogen fueled, Mach 5 "aerospace vehicle"/"spaceplane")

https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Shaping_the_Future/INVICTUS_Europe_s_new_hypersonic_test_platform
INVICTUS Europes new hypersonic test platform
16/07/2025
ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Engineering & Technology / Shaping the Future
The European Space Agency (ESA) and UK-based Frazer-Nash have kicked off INVICTUS, a research programme with the goal of developing hypersonic technologies applicable to future reusable vehicles capable of horizontal launch.
INVICTUS is funded through ESAs General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE) and is a fully reusable experimental aerospace vehicle capable of flying at Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
By mastering reusable, air-breathing propulsion, we are laying the foundation for aircraft that take off like planes and reach orbit like rockets revolutionising both terrestrial and orbital transportation. This is where dual-use innovation meets strategic autonomy.
Tony Forsythe, Head of Space technology at the UK Space Agency, said: This exciting project, made possible by our investments in the European Space Agency, has significant potential to build on advanced cooling and hypersonic propulsion technology developed by UK engineers over many years. We look forward to seeing how the work develops and the opportunity it presents for boosting economic growth and national security.
16/07/2025
ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Engineering & Technology / Shaping the Future
The European Space Agency (ESA) and UK-based Frazer-Nash have kicked off INVICTUS, a research programme with the goal of developing hypersonic technologies applicable to future reusable vehicles capable of horizontal launch.
INVICTUS is funded through ESAs General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and Technology Development Element (TDE) and is a fully reusable experimental aerospace vehicle capable of flying at Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
By mastering reusable, air-breathing propulsion, we are laying the foundation for aircraft that take off like planes and reach orbit like rockets revolutionising both terrestrial and orbital transportation. This is where dual-use innovation meets strategic autonomy.
Tony Forsythe, Head of Space technology at the UK Space Agency, said: This exciting project, made possible by our investments in the European Space Agency, has significant potential to build on advanced cooling and hypersonic propulsion technology developed by UK engineers over many years. We look forward to seeing how the work develops and the opportunity it presents for boosting economic growth and national security.
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

INVICTUS - Europe's new hypersonic test platform (hydrogen fueled, Mach 5 "aerospace vehicle"/"spaceplane") (Original Post)
OKIsItJustMe
Jul 17
OP
markodochartaigh
(3,408 posts)1. Wow.
Maybe, if we are good little consumers, one of our oiligarchs will buy one of those for us! With our tax dollars of course.
OKIsItJustMe
(21,472 posts)2. NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft Begins Taxi Tests
Not quite what youre looking for:
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-x-59-quiet-supersonic-aircraft-begins-taxi-tests/
NASAs X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft Begins Taxi Tests
Nicolas Cholula
NASA Armstrong Public Affairs Specialist
JUL 17, 2025
NASAs X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has officially begun taxi tests, marking the first time this one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft has moved under its own power.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson and the X-59 team, made up of NASA and contractor Lockheed Martin personnel, completed the aircrafts first low-speed taxi test at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on July 10, 2025.
The taxiing represents the X-59s last series of ground tests before first flight. Over the coming weeks, the aircraft will gradually increase its speed, leading up to a high-speed taxi test that will take the aircraft just short of the point where it would take off.
During the low-speed tests, engineers and flight crews monitored how the X-59 handled as it moved across the runway, working to validate critical systems like steering and braking. These checks help ensure the aircrafts stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected.
The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASAs Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight by reducing the loud sonic boom to a quieter thump. Data gathered from the X-59 will be shared with U.S. and international regulators to inform the establishment of new, data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land.
Nicolas Cholula
NASA Armstrong Public Affairs Specialist
JUL 17, 2025
NASAs X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has officially begun taxi tests, marking the first time this one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft has moved under its own power.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson and the X-59 team, made up of NASA and contractor Lockheed Martin personnel, completed the aircrafts first low-speed taxi test at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on July 10, 2025.
The taxiing represents the X-59s last series of ground tests before first flight. Over the coming weeks, the aircraft will gradually increase its speed, leading up to a high-speed taxi test that will take the aircraft just short of the point where it would take off.
During the low-speed tests, engineers and flight crews monitored how the X-59 handled as it moved across the runway, working to validate critical systems like steering and braking. These checks help ensure the aircrafts stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected.
The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASAs Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight by reducing the loud sonic boom to a quieter thump. Data gathered from the X-59 will be shared with U.S. and international regulators to inform the establishment of new, data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land.
