Astro Mechanica

Astro Mechanica: New jet engines for the new Jet Age

Accelerating access toward space and across the planet, enabled by the world’s first electric adaptive jet engine.

TL;DR

Astro Mechanica has invented a new kind of jet engine – the Electric Adaptive Engine. Unlike any existing engine, it's efficient at every speed. Because it's efficient at every speed, it can be used in new and different ways. It can launch payloads to orbit 3x cheaper than an all rocket system, or enable a passenger aircraft 3x faster than an airliner.

Jet Aircraft Stopped Improving in the 1970s

Jet aircraft have powered much of the global economy through trade and commerce since the advent of the Jet Age, yet the technology has not changed foundationally in over 40 years.

Modern commercial jets are still using (more or less) the same airframes that were originally designed in the 1970s. The first Boeing 737 flew in April 1967 and the first Airbus A300 flew in October 1972.

Jet engines – which are limited by a trade-off between speed and efficiency – have similarly only seen incremental improvements. Newer jet engine designs (like the turbofan) are more fuel-efficient, but slower than older ones (like the turbojet).

The New Jet Age

Powered flight starts with the engine. To change flight, you must change the engine.

Astro Mechanica has invented a new type of jet engine that is efficient at every speed. We call it the Electric Adaptive Engine and it is not only more fuel efficient than modern jet engines, but 3x faster. We’ve achieved this by using electric motors to drive the compressor, allowing it to spin at variable speeds and "adapt" to its airspeed and combustion cycle.

We built our proof-of-concept engine in just two months — something that would take the typical aerospace company a year to build. We’re now finishing up our first flight engine in just three months using $500k of off-the-shelf hardware. The next step is to build an airframe over the next 6-8 months to use that engine. We’ll then put it all together and demonstrate supersonic flight in 2025.

Here’s some photos from that first flight engine build

Astro Mechanica’s Master Plan

Phase 1: De-risk technology for passenger aircraft certification through applications like space launch

Phase 2: Establish manufacturing and operational capacity to offer private flights

Phase 3: Scale operational capacity and make supersonic flight affordable

Why Are We Starting with Launch? Because it is cheaper, easier, and a regulatory hack to supersonic passenger travel.

• Less stringent FAA regulations
• Fastest and highest return on technical investments
• Quickest iteration loop with off-the-shelf hardware
• “Tactical Response” capability
• “Multi-role” aircraft with commercial and military applications

What Are the Benefits of Launching at Speed? An increase in payload capacity at a lower cost. We can deliver 3.5x more payload capacity by air-launching a rocket at 800 m/s – that also makes it 3.5x cheaper than launching from the ground.

Contact Us

Reach out to info@astromecha.co for more information. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for news, updates, and demos.

Our Asks

• Spread the word: We’re looking to connect with satellite operators interested in a better way to space and investors who share our passion in redefining the future of aerospace.
• Help grow our team: We’re hiring, please reach out if you or someone you know is interested in working with us.
• Learn more: Follow along with us on LinkedIn and Twitter, and check out this profile of us by Not Boring!