The Astro Mechanica, established in 2021, has developed a turbo-electrical adaptive engine that is set to transform the aviation industry by ensuring optimal performance at both subsonic and supersonic speeds. This innovative engine combines technologies from the electric vehicle sector to integrate the advantages of turbojet and turbocharger engines into a single device.
The engine comprises two main components: a turbogenerator generates electricity to power electric motors, which independently drive a compressor and a turbody. This setup enables the adjustment of compressed air volume and optimization of the combustion process, significantly enhancing engine efficiency across different speeds.
On October 11, 2024, the company successfully conducted the first full-scale test of the engine, achieving 30% of its power. Unlike traditional turbojet engines that are efficient at supersonic speeds but fuel-intensive at lower speeds, the ASTRO MECHANICA turbo power engine operates in three modes to cater to various speed ranges.
In the first mode, an electric motor rotates the compressor without active combustion, ideal for ground operations and slow flight. The second mode functions as a turbojet mode to surpass the speed of sound, with the compressor still on an electric drive. The third mode utilizes a direct-flow air-reactive engine principle at supersonic speeds, potentially enabling speeds exceeding Mach 3.
The developers suggest that this technology could increase the flight range of aircraft like the Concorde by 61%. The engine’s first prototype has already achieved a speed of 3,240 km/h (Mach 3) and can operate on liquefied natural gas or synthetic methane, offering cost savings and reduced CO2 emissions.
Astro Mechanica aims to reduce operational costs with its adaptive engines, expected to be more affordable than modern turbojet engines like the CFM LEAP-1B due to fewer moving parts and cost-effective fuel options.
In the future, the company plans to construct an experimental aircraft equipped with four of these engines and conduct a non-stop supersonic flight from San Francisco to Tokyo to gather data for further technology optimization.