SMRTR Science & EngineeringApr 30, 2026Interesting Engineering

US-built reusable liquid rocket engine completes 10 flights, hits hypersonic speeds

SMRTR summary

Colorado-based Ursa Major has become only the third US company — alongside SpaceX and Blue Origin — to successfully refly a reusable hypersonic liquid rocket engine. Its Hadley engine completed 10 consecutive flights, several at sustained hypersonic speeds, proving it can withstand extreme conditions and be reused quickly. This breakthrough could dramatically lower costs and accelerate deployment of hypersonic systems for both defense and commercial use.

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