PDAS

Japan's

PD Aerospace

Reusable space plane with its rocket/jet dual mode pulse detonation engine to achieve Single Stage to Orbit, External link https://pdas.co.jp/

unmanned suborbital planeunmanned suborbital plane with the capability of reaching 100km

Goal is for their first space plane to be flying tourists to suborbital altitude by 2023 of 6 passengers and two pilots.

Like Virgin Orbit they also have the goal to Air launch a paload of 200kg micro satellites into a 400～500km Sun-synchronous orbit.

Currently developing unmanned spaceplane flight technology with 2020 as expected operational date.

Manned vehicle development is set to begin in parallel with unmanned vehicle development.

This will integrate feedbacks obtained from operating unmanned vehicles, as well as establishing necessary reliability to perform human spaceflight. Once certified for flight in Japan, operation is planned to begin in late 2024.

PD Aerospace Spaceplane Development Chart

High Speed Demonstrator

Pulse Jet Engine

A single engine provides thrust for the entire flight by alternating combustion methods between jet mode and rocket mode.

The engine can switch from air-breathing mode – where the engine burns liquid propellant with atmosphere air to generate exhaust – to rocket mode, where the engine will switch to on-board oxidizer – to generate thrust. It can fly from a runway and reach suborbital altitudes.

successful detonation in combustion chamber, mechanism to alternate combustion method (between jet and rocket)

Pulse Jet Engine test

successfully conducted mode switch experiment in 2017 and moving forward towards practical application of pulse detonation engine.

Simplicity of mechanism, high load, and high efficiency of such engine allows improved reliability and reduced flight cost.

- The engine can be restarted during return flight and landing, allowing the spacecraft to have standby and diversion capabilities.

Pulse test

11th Aug 2011 Pulse Test

High Speed Test Bed

High Speed Test Bed engine test in 2010

The 4th flight test of turbojet engine experiment machine (X02).

Improved thrust and structure strengthened, gave good results.