Germany's hypersonic leap: Polaris to test new aircraft by 2028
The German company, Polaris Spaceplanes, has signed a contract with the Bundeswehr to design a fully functional two-stage hypersonic vehicle. Additionally, a new testing centre will be constructed on the Baltic coast.
The German company, Polaris Spaceplanes, based in Bremen, is working towards developing a reusable hypersonic aircraft prototype for the German military—the Bundeswehr—by 2028. This vehicle is intended to serve as a platform for scientific research with potential military applications. The aircraft will be capable of taking off and landing on regular runways and performing suborbital flights. The contract also allows for the possibility of military co-financing of subsequent stages, including the construction and testing of full-scale flight tests.
The new aircraft will accelerate to a speed of Mach 5
The concept involves using conventional turbojet engines for take-off and ascent, followed by the activation of a rocket engine to accelerate the craft to speeds exceeding Mach 5. The programme's assumptions specify that these aircraft will be unmanned, although Polaris plans to enable the transportation of astronauts during suborbital training flights.
By 2028, the company plans to showcase complete reusable aircraft prototypes. Polaris is beginning with progressively larger unmanned scale models. The largest demonstrator used so far is 16 feet long and weighs 530 pounds. This year's plan includes launching a model measuring 26 feet in length and weighing between 1.5 to 2 tonnes.
The new hypersonic aircraft will be unmanned for now
The design assumptions state that the new models will operate without a crew, although Polaris Spaceplanes does not rule out the possibility of transporting astronauts in suborbital training missions in the future.
The target, full-scale aircraft will serve as the first stage in an orbital payload delivery system. The second stage will most likely be a small rocket. The programme aims to facilitate the transport of satellites weighing up to one tonne into orbit.
The German company aims to create a new testing centre on the Baltic coast
High speed is currently a priority in defence research for many countries due to its potential for effective use in missile systems and providing cheap and fast access to space. By striving to develop reusable hypersonic systems, Polaris Spaceplanes contributes to providing Germany with a test platform to evaluate new technologies, including thermal protection and advanced propulsion systems.
Earlier in the year, Polaris announced its intention to create a new testing centre in Peenemünde on the Baltic Sea, where advanced military construction trials will be conducted. The history of this location dates back to the Third Reich, when it was a centre for research on new types of weapons, including the V-1 and V-2 missiles.
