Recent Activities in Research of the Combined Cycle Engine at JAXA

Recent activities of the researches on the rocket based combined cycle engine in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency are summarized. Aiming to realize the flight test in 10 years, JAXA has been making sub-scale model experiments as well as a series of component tests. In 08 fiscal year, sub-scale tests were carried out in Mach 6 flight condition and the stable ramjet combustion was confirmed following the successful ramjet mode establishment in Mach 4 condition in previous year. Some improvements of flow modeling inside the combustor and the ejector analysis were also achieved. With the scramjet mode analysis due in ’09 fiscal year, the designing method of the combined cycle engine will be improved and the next test engine will be launched.