Delta-Velos | Technology | Hypersonix Launch Systems

days

hours

minutes

seconds

Technology

Delta-Velos

Key features

Meet Delta-Velos

The Delta-Velos launch system is another step in creating affordable, green and sustainable space technology. This fully reusable system flies to space under scramjet power, allowing access to any orbit, from any launch site. Time-to-launch can be just days, compared to months.

Acceleration capability

Unlike competitor technology, Delta-Velos has the ability to accelerate from Mach 5 to Mach 12 due to being powered by the fifth generation SPARTAN scramjet engine.

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)

Delta-Velos is made from high temperature CMCs as they are lightweight, with a high strength-to-weight ratio (even at high temperatures), high thermal shock resistance and toughness.

Flies like a plane

Delta-Velos has wings to fly and turn like a plane. It can take off in any direction and turn to any required orbit within low Earth orbit (LEO) to deploy satellites.

Reusable, reliable and cost-effective

With long flight times, Delta-Velos is highly reliable and inexpensive to produce.

High cadence

Featuring a rapid turnaround, Delta-Velos can be refuelled and ready to fly in a short timeframe.

Scalable system

Delta-Velos can be scaled, so different payloads can reach different orbits. With the trend of satellites becoming smaller, Hypersonix can cater for small satellites up to 150 kg, and also commit to deploying larger satellites up to 300 kg.

Specifications

12m

Length

3.5m

Wingspan

Diameter

Mach 12

Speed

50kg

Payload to LEO

[data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { display: none; } @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { [data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { position: absolute; z-index: -100; display: inline-block; height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: cover; } }

Fly to space

A new way for access to space

Unlike traditional small satellite launches, Delta-Velos allows access to any orbit, from any launch site. Hypersonix’s flexible approach leverages the best available launch provider for the particular mission profile — reducing technology risk and time to market, and locking in a lower cost structure.

Power source

Powered by SPARTAN

DART is powered by a single SPARTAN, Hypersonix’s fifth generation scramjet engine. The hydrogen-powered SPARTAN is the world’s first entirely 3D-printed airframe, delivering performance, reliability, lead time and cost advantages over more bespoke manufacturing methods.

Why use H2 as fuel?

Hydrogen is fuel for a low carbon future

Hydrogen can be produced from just water, using renewable energy. Burning it in an engine produces only water vapour. There is a global movement towards low-carbon fuels and Australia is set to become a key player in the hydrogen industry, with government and private investment into local green hydrogen production facilities. Hypersonix has partnered with BOC Australia, who has announced its intention to build a green hydrogen production facility using seawater as the main ingredient, in Queensland.

The clean hydrogen industry is growing quickly Australia-wide, with over $1.6 billion invested in the private sector and $1.27 billion in the public sector. The price of clean hydrogen is projected to decrease to between $2 and $4 per kilogram by 2030.

Hydrogen is an excellent aerospace fuel

The space industry has historically utilised hydrogen as rocket fuel, including in the space shuttle program.

Hydrogen is non-toxic and its low density means any leaks and fires are directed upwards — unlike hydrocarbon fuels, which could pool under the aircraft. Hypersonix’s vehicles are also unmanned, reducing the risks to humans. Hydrogen has approximately 2.5 times the energy density of hydrocarbon fuels, such as kerosene, making it the perfect fuel in an industry where every gram counts.

Get in touch with us

To discuss our scramjet engines, flight systems or launch systems with a Hypersonix representative, please complete the contact form.