Brisbane-based Hypersonix Launch Systems, which is aiming to provide sustainable and affordable access to space, will collaborate with University of Sydney’s Sydney Manufacturing Hub (SMH) to research and manufacture components to aid the company’s hypersonic vehicles and scramjets engine technologies.
SMH, led by the Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Simon Ringer, supports advanced capabilities in making and processing metals, ceramics and polymeric-based materials including 3D printing. Dr. Michael Smart, co-founder, CTO and head of R&D at Hypersonix, has spent his entire career developing hypersonic technology, in particular scramjets, including 10 years as a research scientist at the NASA Langley Research Centre in Virginia.
Founded in 2019, Hypersonix currently has a team of 20 aerospace engineers and material specialists developing reusable scramjet engine technology for engines that are powered by sustainable green hydrogen fuel.
Hypersonix’s new project is known as DART AE – the AE stands for ‘additive engineering’ – and involves manufacturing a hypersonic aircraft named DART.
Sydney University will aid Hypersonix in building all the components of the hypersonic aircraft, which powers their scramjet engine, through additive engineering – otherwise known as 3D printing.
Traditional materials used in the aircraft industry, like aluminum and plastic, are being phased out and will be replaced by the 3D printing process.
3D printing is not only cheaper but can also handle more complex components and designs. It also allows for new high-temperature materials as it can operate at 1,500°C.
Hypersonix is currently working on the detailed design of the DART vehicle, known as the critical design review, having completed all the calculations and the design – the next goal is to start manufacturing.
For more information: Hypersonix
