As hypersonic pioneer Reaction Engines enters administration BILL SWEETMAN looks at what the company promised, and what went wrong.

As hypersonic pioneer Reaction Engines enters administration BILL SWEETMAN looks at what the company promised, and what went wrong.

Reaction Engines Ltd (REL) people used to call the company "the world's oldest startup". Started in 1989 to pursue founder Alan Bond's vision of a fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle, the company entered administration at the end of October after failing to secure new investment.

SSTO is a challenge that has defeated all comers for more than 60 years, including two multibillion-dollar US efforts, the 1980s National Aerospaceplane and the 1990s Lockheed Martin X-33.

https://www.aerosociety.com/news/per-ardua-administration/