At the UP Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, the startup Venus Aerospace unveiled its first supersonic vehicle design named Stargazer.
Design of the supersonic spacecraft Stargazer. (Photo: Venus Aerospace)
Stargazer is a Mach 9 drone and spacecraft capable of flying around the world in just one hour. This supersonic aircraft will take off from a conventional airport and ascend to the edge of space. The vehicle will initially fly at subsonic speeds before transitioning to supersonic speeds. When completed, Stargazer will measure 46 meters in length, 30.5 meters in wingspan, and have a takeoff weight of 68,039 kg. It will be able to carry 12 passengers.
According to the company, Stargazer will accelerate to Mach 9 (11,113 km/h) after reaching an altitude of 51,817 meters. The aircraft will only take one hour to cover a distance that traditional planes would require a full day to travel.
Venus Aerospace was founded by Sarah “Sassie” Duggleby and Dr. Andrew Duggleby. The company aims to create a Mach 9 supersonic aircraft that can transport passengers around the world and return them within the same day. The new aircraft model is the result of a design process that began when the company was established in 2020. Since then, Venus Aerospace has raised $33 million in investment funding. The company’s team of experts is developing three key technologies: a new generation of zero-emission rocket engines, a unique aircraft design, and advanced cooling systems, all aimed at enabling the spacecraft to take off from existing airports and infrastructure.
“We are working with NASA at the Johnson Space Center and have access to data from supersonic boom tests in the Space Shuttle program,” Duggleby shared. “We have determined that at high altitudes and speeds, you won’t hear the sound of the aircraft. We can fly at an altitude of 51,816 meters at Mach 9.”
In a short time, Venus Aerospace has developed and built a technology demonstration engine, conducting several important tests in supersonic wind tunnels and thrust testing facilities across the United States, starting ground testing at the Houston airport. Venus Aerospace plans to begin subsonic and supersonic flight tests with a small-scale prototype next year.
