Germany Is Planning A Mach 5+ Hypersonic Craft To Counter China

Germany is taking a bold step into the future of aerospace technology with its latest commitment to developing a reusable, two-stage hypersonic research spacecraft. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has enlisted POLARIS Raumflugzeuge GmbH (POLARIS), a German startup known for its innovative spaceplane designs, to lead the project.

Under the terms of the contract, POLARIS has been tasked with creating a “two-stage, horizontally take-off and fully reusable hypersonic research aircraft.” The project aims to revolutionize hypersonic flight technology, with a fully operational prototype expected by 2028.

The spacecraft is designed to function as both a test platform and a small satellite launcher. Unlike traditional rockets, its reusable nature will enable frequent satellite deployment, significantly reducing costs and turnaround times.

According to reports, the first stage of any launch will rely on a rocket booster, propelling the spaceplane to hypersonic speeds exceeding Mach 5. However, whether the final version will be autonomous or piloted remains undisclosed.

The prototype is expected to carry approximately 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs) of cargo into orbit per flight. Additionally, POLARIS is exploring the potential for space reconnaissance, which could provide real-time intelligence and make the spacecraft resilient against anti-satellite weaponry—a major advantage for the German military.

The development strategy involves progressively larger prototypes over time. Currently, the most advanced model measures 5 meters (16.5 feet) and weighs 240 kg (530 lbs). By the end of 2025, the company aims to test a larger, 8-meter (26-foot) prototype weighing between 1.5 and 2 tons.

POLARIS has already developed eight prototypes for various clients, with this new hypersonic craft being the ninth. One of its notable prototypes, Aurora, is a scaled-down version of the MIRA demonstrator, which took its maiden flight in 2023.

The Aurora prototype, measuring 2.5 meters (8 feet), is a simplified version of the larger MIRA aerospike demonstrator. Unlike MIRA, which is powered by kerosene-fed jet turbines and a liquid-fuel aerospike rocket engine, Aurora uses four electric ducted fans for propulsion.

The company has already achieved notable success in testing. “Since the first flight went flawlessly, we directly started the flight controller testing and calibration program the same day. By the end of the day, MIRA-Light had already completed five flights without encountering any issues. [We] are poised to conduct approximately 10 to 15 additional flights in the coming weeks to conclude our comprehensive testing program,” POLARIS stated.

With a well-structured roadmap and continuous testing, Germany’s hypersonic research spacecraft is on track to take its first operational flight by 2028, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in aerospace technology.