German research company Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) are the masterminds behind the “SpaceLiner,” a hypersonic concept jet that would travel at 20 times the speed of sound. It could transport around 50 passengers across the globe in no time.
The 65-metre-long shuttle is propelled by 11 engines. It is also attached to a 82-metre booster, which means that the shuttle would take off vertically - much like a rocket. Once relieved of its booster (which falls off after the first stage and burns as it falls down), the SpaceLiner reaches a maximum altitude of 80km above earth before starting its gliding descent towards the destination.
Surprisingly, the SpaceLiner is also environmentally friendly and only uses liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen (LOX/LH2) propellants. In other words, it only produces water vapour.
The flight process in itself will be automated but two pilots would nevertheless be on board to keep an eye on the flight activities.
Unfortunately, it will still take a bit of patience before you can fly supersonic and travel from Europe to Australia in under 90 minutes... According to the company, they could build the jet by 2030 if they are able to raise $33 billion.
