Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

Image courtesy Frazer-Nash 

INVICTUS is a €7million project funded by the European Space Agency and the stepping stone to developing commercially viable spaceplane technology. The programme aims to develop a reusable vehicle that takes-off horizontally from a runway, like an aeroplane. This capability strives to transform spaceflight and move us closer to widespread space access.

Over 12 months, INVICTUS has been tasked to deliver the concept and elements of preliminary design of the full flight system, complete with requirements, analysis, development plan, and programme definition to first flight. It strives to demonstrate the efficacy of hydrogen-fuelled, precooled air breathing propulsion at hypersonic speeds, technology that will ultimately enable horizontal take-off. 

Led by Frazer-Nash, INVICTUS has an expert consortium behind it with deep experience of delivering aircraft. Partners include Spirit AeroSystems, Cranfield University and a number of small-medium enterprises. Frazer-Nash has also welcomed a team of experts from Reaction Engines Ltd (REL) into their company who have been developing and demonstrating pre-cooler technology for more than a decade, maximising the value of legacy investment.

Aircraft that fly at hypersonic speeds – more than five times the speed of sound – face extremely high temperatures due to shock heating and the friction from the air. Typical aircraft engines cannot operate in these conditions as the air is too hot to handle. Whilst some specialised engines exist that can fly in this envelope, they present their own drawbacks such as limited windows of performance and inability to start on the ground. 

The precooler, originally developed and tested by REL, cools the air before it reaches the engine, allowing conventional aircraft engines to travel at hypersonic speeds.

Previous tests by REL validated the precooler technology at hypersonic flight conditions, successfully demonstrating the integration of the technology with existing jet engine architecture. It showed the precooler’s ability to cool airflow at speeds significantly more than the operational limit of any jet engine powered aircraft in history. Mach 5 is more than twice as fast as the cruising speed of Concorde and over 50% faster than the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft, the world’s fastest jet engine powered aircraft.

INVICTUS is set to unlock a new era of hypersonic capability through the development of pre-cooled propulsion systems, enabling a broad spectrum of future high-speed applications. As a dual-use technology initiative, INVICTUS aims to deliver transformative advances across propulsion, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems—benefiting both defence and commercial sectors. By establishing a UK-led, reusable hypersonic test platform, the programme positions the UK and Europe at the forefront of next-generation aerospace innovation, making strides on current global launch technologies.

Dr Tommaso Ghidini, Head of the Mechanical Department at the European Space Agency, said: “Hypersonic flight is not just the next frontier of aerospace—it is the gateway to a new paradigm of mobility, defence, and space access. With INVICTUS, Europe is seizing the opportunity to lead in technologies that will redefine how we move across the planet and reach beyond it. By mastering reusable, air-breathing propulsion, we are laying the foundation for aircraft that take off like planes and reach orbit like rockets—revolutionising both terrestrial and orbital transportation. This is where dual-use innovation meets strategic autonomy.”

Sarah Wilkes, Managing Director at Frazer-Nash said: “INVICTUS is an exciting opportunity to provide advanced technology for space and advance capabilities in defence. With strong industry support and deep engineering and aerospace expertise – including Frazer-Nash colleagues with a decade of propulsion experience – we have all the right ingredients to make this ambitious vision a reality.”

Tony Forsythe, Head of Space technology at the UK Space Agency, said: "This exciting project, made possible by our investments in the European Space Agency, has significant potential to build on advanced cooling and hypersonic propulsion technology developed by UK engineers over many years. We look forward to seeing how the work develops and the opportunity it presents for boosting economic growth and national security.”