2009: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| During late February and continuing into March, Reaction Engines Ltd returned to testing the Viper Engine at its B9 facility at the Culham Science Centre. 61 test firings have been conducted during this period. These preparations began in order to ensure that the Viper Engine was ready for both the Technical Demonstration programme and also for cryogenic testing.
The Technical Demonstration programme, which is funded in part by the European Space Agency and in part by private finance, is now well underway. The initial phases of the programme are focused on the design of the pre-cooler, the combustion chamber and the pressure-compensating nozzle. In later phases of the programme these elements of the SABRE engine will be built and tested in order to demonstrate the viability of the technology. |
The B9 Test Facility |
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Reaction Engines Limited is the main sponsor of this year’s UK Space Conference which will be held at Charterhouse School, near Godalming in Surrey from 1st to 4th April. The UK Space Conference brings together members of the UK space community including: students, young professionals, academics, institutions, organisations and commercial ventures. They are able to take part in lectures, panel discussions, networking opportunities, a careers fair and other events. Beyond the conventional speakers, debates and discussion sessions, the conference aims to include a wide range of activities, attracting a large population base and inspiring young people to take a greater interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Grand Finale of the conference is the Sir Arthur Clarke Gala Awards ceremony. Last year REL’s Managing Director, Alan Bond won the Arthur for Space Entrepreneur. This year Alan will be delivering the key Charles Martin Lecture. More can be found out at: www.ukspaceconference.org |
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| The Technical Director for Reaction Engines Ltd, Richard Varvill, presented the After Dinner Speech at the Concorde Dining Society this month. | |
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| Dr Neil Taylor at The University of Bristol, REL’s principal collaborator on the STERN/STRICT projects, was named this month by Venue magazine as one of the cleverest people in the Bristol-Bath area. Venue may very well think this, but we couldn’t possibly comment!! | |
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| Site Update: During March, we have added new pages for the Orbital Base Station, SKYLON Passenger Capabilities and Project STERN/STRICT. |
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