Incredible reusable rocket-drone aircraft duo that takes off from a runway could launch satellites into orbit every 3 HOURS

  • US-based Aevum is developing it's rocket-plane called Ravn for a 2019 launch 
  • It says launches could one day become as  frequent as commercial flights 
  • The Ravn will carry satellites into space to improve global communications 

A space launch every three hours could soon be a reality.

Alabama-based startup, Aevum, is testing a rocket-drone plane that can send small satellites into orbit from a normal runway.

The firm claims that its fully autonomous system will drive down the cost of launches and make them as frequent as commercial flights.

Scroll down for video 

Artist's illustration showing Aevum's Ravn air-launch system in action. The rocket-drone plane will send small satellites into orbit from a normal runway. The firm claims that its fully autonomous system will drive down the cost of launches

Artist's illustration showing Aevum's Ravn air-launch system in action. The rocket-drone plane will send small satellites into orbit from a normal runway. The firm claims that its fully autonomous system will drive down the cost of launches

'Ravn is designed to launch every 180 minutes,' Jay Skylus, Aevum's CEO and chief launch architect, told Space.com.

'Other launch vehicles fly only a handful of times a year with an average of 18 months of lead time.'

He added that the typical turn time, from landing to takeoff, for a commercial aircraft can range from 30 to 80 minutes

'Ravn operates just like a commercial aircraft would,' he said.

The Ravn system is unmanned which means ground operations don't require a huge amount of staff.

The autopilot software programme, known as Minnie, has already completed nearly 640 test launch simulations.

Among these simulations was a launch of 'a 30-satellite constellation in less than 3 hours,' according to Mr Skylus.

Mr Skylus believes as few as six people could complete the launches.

The first stage of Ravn consists of a reusable, autonomous unmanned aircraft system capable of travelling at Mach 2.85 (2,186 mph, or 3,519 km/h). 

This will ferry rockets from the ground and into the sky before they release and enter orbit. 

The rockets are expendable and will be made of two sections. 

Different fuel sources will be used in the sections, with the first using a proprietary fuel approved by the US Department of Transportation and the second stage utilising liquid oxygen.

According to Mr Skylus, these rocket engines have already been 'hot-fire demonstrated'.   

Mr Skylus believes as few as six people could complete the launches and is due to undergo test launches towards the end of 2019, Aevum eventually intends to become the 'UPS or FedEx of space'

Mr Skylus believes as few as six people could complete the launches and is due to undergo test launches towards the end of 2019, Aevum eventually intends to become the 'UPS or FedEx of space'

Inspiration for the project came from aerial attacks in Afghanistan during 2005, where some of the losses suffered by the US military were, in part, due to communication hardship. 

'With my own brother serving in the U.S. Army and away from home during that time, the news felt personal to me,' Mr Skylus said.

'I recall being furious that, while I could instant-message readily, people who were fighting to protect our country struggled with communication challenges.'

WHAT DO WE KNOWN ABOUT AEVUM'S RAVN?  

Aevum is a company that was founded in Alabama and intends to create a plane-rocket combination capable of putting a satellite into space once every three hours. 

Unlike other firms that are attaching rockets to planes and launching them into orbit once airborne, Aevum will be unmanned.

Without a crew or a pilot, it is designed to be run by just six people. 

It will be autonomous from the minute it left the hangar until the moment it lands. 

This is in stark contrast to other systems, such as Nasa's Pegasus rocket (attached to the plane 'Stargazer').  

As a result of the streamlined process, the firm hopes to be able to launch every three hours, releasing a satellite into space every time. 

The goal, according to the company's CEO Jay Skylus, is to improve communications worldwide, and maybe even establish a global wireless internet network. 

Piloted by a software programme called Minnie, the company has already completed in excess of 600 simulations.

They are hoping for three launches in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Advertisement

After investigating the cause of the issue, it turned out the problem was geography-based and the issue would be avoided if there were more satellites available.

Due to undergo test launches towards the end of 2019, Aevum eventually intends to become the 'UPS or FedEx of space,' according to Mr Skylus. 

There is no news yet on when the Ravn will be revealed, but a cryptic countdown timer on the company's website indicates that October 17, 2018 will be an important day. 

Customers will be able to make their orders via phone, email or even through an app.

Mr Skylus said: 'We take care of all the logistics and offer mission design at no cost to you, and you can book launches and track your satellite through our app.' 

'Ravn is unlike any other launch system known today,' Mr Skylus said.

'Aevum's focused on providing a delivery service that will directly enable the solutions that address global challenges that cause pain every day, which include communication and connectivity.'