Invictus Spaceplane Could Redefine How We Reach Orbit

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When most people think of space travel , they picture rockets blasting off from massive launch pads, engines roaring, fire and smoke trailing as they push skyward. But the future might look a little different. The European Space Agency, along with a team of innovators, is developing a concept that could change the way we think about leaving Earth: the Invictus Spaceplane.

A New Approach to Space Travel

Unlike traditional rockets, Invictus is designed to take off like a plane and reach orbit like a spacecraft. The project is led by Frazer-Nash in partnership with Spirit AeroSystems, Cranfield University, and Reaction Engines Ltd. The latter brings a critical piece of technology to the table: its pre-cooler system. This breakthrough tech tackles one of the bigg