The last report in April stated that an elegant design solution for SKYLON was emerging and we now have a trimmed provisional layout. Some detailed checking is underway, mostly importantly to check the main undercarriage fits in the well. This work will then be on hold until the new SABRE 4 engine model is available. The SKYLON D1 design will then be refined and further details added.

In the last news item on D1, we stated that “you won’t have to be an “anorak” to spot the differences from C1” because at that time the forward canard was gone and D1 had conventional rear tail planes with a slight V. Although we confirmed that these aspects were definitely fixed and never going to change, we have put canards back on to trim the vehicle. The body is almost an identical size and shape which means that you will in fact have to be an “anorak” to spot the difference. The key things “anoraks” to look out for are;
a) a larger wing as D1 is heavier, and
b) the rear fuselage is not a circular cross section but is flattened, a little like the Space Shuttle, to give more rearward lift at high speeds.

Other current active studies include the in-orbit propulsion systems. At the moment in D1 the orbital manoeuvring system, the reaction control / fuel cell systems have been separated (in C1 they were combined). While the orbital manoeuvering system is located in the tail, RCS tanks and other equipment are in the nose.

We have also started a trade off into whether the payload bay will have one door like HOTOL or two doors as on C1 and the Space Shuttle.

DLR Reports on SKYLON Re-entry Modelling

The Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology has finished a major study into SKYLON’s aerodynamics and heating during re-entry. The Institute produced a computer fluid dynamics model with over 12 million elements which runs on their super computer. The results confirmed the much simpler model which was originally used to establish SKYLON’s thermal protection system. They also highlighted that better solutions may be possible in some areas and these are being explored by DLR, using further modelling, for incorporation into the D1 revision.

You can now watch a short documentary on the STERN project – enjoy!

Farnborough International Airshow 2010

Reaction Engines will have a stand at the Farnborough Airshow between the 19th and 25th July – Stand C3 in Hall 4. If you are there, please drop by.

Five Generations

A member of REL’s staff, Gordon Harrison, recently featured in the local newspaper Abingdon Herald with his mother, daughter, grandson and great-granddaughter. We congratulate the family on their unique achievement of five living generations and wish them all well.