Ejector Ramjet Engines:
- Airbreathing engine - Uses oxygen from the atmosphere
- Wide operating speeds - 0 to 7 times the speed of sound
- Increased performance - 7 times more fuel efficient than rockets
- Extremely simple engine - Safe, reliable and reusable
Wings:
- Horizontal take-off and landing - Similar to a standard airplane
- Aerodynamically streamlined - Reduces thrust required by a factor of 4
- Reusable - Improves system safety and survivability
- Increases efficiency - Decreases overall weight of the vehicle
Streamlined Body:
- Reduces drag at high speeds
- Increases engine performance
Titanium Honeycomb Structure:
- Wide temperature range capability - No fragile foam insulation required
- High strength - Low maintenance and 23% lighter than alternative materials
Multilayer Cryogenic Insulation:
- Reduces propellant evaporation
- No frost formation
Liquid Hydrogen:
- High energy density - Reduces fuel required
- Zero emissions - By-product is water
- Lower cost - Petroleum independence
- Used as a "battery" to store clean energy
Sustainable Energy:
- Independent of petroleum supplies
- Lower cost - Harness nature's energy
- Environmentally friendly
Together, these technologies enable a vehicle unlike any other reusable launch vehicle being developed today. By maximizing the efficiency of the propulsion, aerodynamics, and structure, the SA reusable launch vehicle is capable of flying into space while consuming orders of magnitude less propellant. The combination of high performance and fuel efficiency will allow SA to offer spaceflight experiences with an unrivaled emphasis on safety and affordability all in an environmentally clean way. The key enabler is SA's breakthrough in propulsion technology.
