HyShot experiment takes-off

The HyShot experiment - attempting the world`s first flight test of the supersonic combustion process - was launched at 1135 local time (1205 AEST) at the Woomera Prohibited Area, 500km north of Adelaide today.

University of Queensland researchers say they are receiving data from the rocket, but it is too early to say whether the experiment has been a success.

The researchers are attempting to test flight scramjets, or air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engines.

While scramjets do raise the possibility of Sydney to London flights in two hours, they are set to revolutionise the launch of small space payloads, such as communications satellites, by substantially lowering costs.

Media contacts:
UQ Communications - Jan King, telephone 0408 731 764, Peter McCutcheon, telephone 07 3365 1088 or 0413 380012
Defence - Steve Dunning, A/Regional Manager Public Affairs-South Australia, 0417 887 040.