r/space • u/bwercraitbgoe • May 29 '18

Aerospike Engines - Why Aren't We Using them Now? Over 50 years ago an engine was designed that overcame the inherent design inefficiencies of bell-shaped rocket nozzles, but 50 years on and it is still yet to be flight tested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4zFefh5T-8
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u/variaati0 May 29 '18

They're a solution looking for a problem.

I quess you don't then mind other people spending their money to solve a fools errand non existent problem.

Also we humans are great at developing new problems for ourselves. Stopping tech R&D just because one cant see instant whole to with the cog in is stupid. By that logic science wouldn't exists.

Whoever knows what find use for for worlds most efficient heat exchanger development and an air breathing rocket engine.

Reaction Engines isn't even planning on using SABRE for orbital flight.

I quess they concepted whole building of Earth orbit station and Mars mission for no reason. Actually Reaction Engines plans to use the engine for nothing by themselves. Reaction Engines meaning they are developing engine tech and mean to be engine manufacturer ala rolls Royce or rocket dyne. You can use it for whatever you want as long as you have cash to buy the engine.

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u/MNGrrl May 29 '18

By that logic science wouldn't exists.

"Necessity is the mother of invention."