A German space startup’s ambitious test flight ended in a crash before it could truly take off. The MIRA I spaceplane, built by Polaris Raumflugzeuge, was designed to be the first aircraft to test a revolutionary aerospike rocket engine in flight. However, a combination of landing gear issues and side winds caused a hard landing, damaging the prototype beyond repair.
Polaris is continuing with the project without stopping. The MIRA II and III are two larger iterations that are being constructed; they are simply larger versions of the doomed MIRA I. The aerospike engine, a novel element that has the potential to revolutionize space travel, is the distinguishing characteristic of this spacecraft.
Think of a traditional rocket engine nozzle shaped like a bell. An aerospike engine flips that concept, using the atmosphere itself as part of the nozzle. This allows for consistent efficiency throughout a flight, from liftoff to the vacuum of space, unlike traditional engines that require different stages for optimal performance.
This tech might sound like science fiction, but it’s based on designs from the 1950s that have never been properly tested in flight. MIRA I was poised to be that test, but its crash has put that on hold.
The new MIRA prototypes will inherit the original design, including four jet turbines and the single AS-1 aerospike engine. The main difference? Bigger airframes – a “go big or go home” approach.
Beyond the innovative engine, MIRA is designed to be a reusable Single Stage To Orbit (SSTO) spaceplane. This delta-wing marvel aims to carry people or cargo into space and back, eliminating the need for disposable rocket stages.
Despite the setback, Polaris remains optimistic. In a press release, they acknowledge the crash but emphasize their rapid development pace, stating, “We fully accept that sometimes things can break… If you don’t break things, you are not ambitious enough.”
While MIRA I may not have reached for the stars, MIRA II and III are poised to take the dream a giant leap forward.
