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
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.
Powered by SPARTAN
Delta Velos is powered by four SPARTAN, Hypersonix’s fifth generation scramjet engines. The hydrogen-powered SPARTAN is delivering performance and reliability. Whilst the SPARTAN engine for DART is 3D printed out of Inconel 718, Delta Velos is a reusable vehicle made out of high temperature ceramic matrix composites and therefore has the capability to accelerate to Mach 12. The four SPARTAN’s inside Delta Velos are made out of high temperature ceramic matrix composites as well to allow such speeds.
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.
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