Polaris Spaceplanes Redefines Rocket Engine Technology with MIRA 004 at ILA 2024.

At the ILA 2024 aerospace exhibition, currently being held in Berlin from June 7 to 12, Polaris Spaceplanes is unveiling an innovation that could redefine future aerospace propulsion technologies. The MIRA 004, a validation vehicle for linear aerospike rocket engines, promises significant advancements in performance and efficiency, meeting the demands of both military and civilian applications for the future.

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Polaris Spaceplanes MIRA 004 demonstrator (Picture source: Polaris Spaceplanes)

This ambitious project, dubbed DEMO-4 MIRA, was specifically designed to test and demonstrate the capabilities of linear aerospike engines. This advanced technology, compared to traditional engines, offers a better adaptation to varying atmospheric pressure, resulting in a substantial increase in efficiency during flight phases. The first test of MIRA using turbine power, successfully conducted on October 26, 2023, at Peenemünde Airport, marks a critical turning point towards the next phase of rocket-powered tests.

The design and development of MIRA were supported by a Bundeswehr/BAAINBw study contract from April 2023, highlighting the strategic importance of this vehicle for future applications. In addition to its capability to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) with a telemetry range of 20 km, the MIRA 004 is equipped with a redundant flight termination system, ensuring maximum safety during tests.

The MIRA 004, measuring 4.25 meters in length and weighing 210 kg, is powered by four kerosene-fueled jet turbines and a liquid-fueled linear aerospike rocket engine. After its successful first flight under turbine power, the vehicle is now ready for upcoming rocket-powered flights in the near future. The rapid development, completed in just six and a half months, demonstrates the efficiency and ability of Polaris Spaceplanes to successfully manage complex and innovative projects.

All these features position the MIRA 004 not only as a major milestone for Polaris but also as a cornerstone of innovation in the global aerospace industry. With these developments, Polaris Spaceplanes reaffirms its status as a leader in the design of cutting-edge technologies, ready to meet the challenges of aerospace tomorrow. The ILA 2024 thus serves as the stage for a presentation that could well change the game in the field of propulsion technologies.