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Chinese scientists are testing a revolutionary engine that could change global aviation, flying at 20 km/h and defying the laws of physics with unprecedented efficiency and high-impact military potential.
Researchers chineses announced the development of a revolutionary engine capable of reaching hypersonic speeds of up to 20 km/h (Mach 16), enough to circle the planet in just two hours.
The new technology, detailed in a study published in Chinese Journal of Propulsion Technology, represents a promising advance in the race for ultra-fast aircraft and could profoundly transform the aerospace, commercial and military sectors.
According to the South China Morning Post, the thruster operates based on the detonation concept, using two distinct operating modes: rotary detonation, for speeds below Mach 7, and oblique detonation, for higher speeds.
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This combination provides continuous thrust and greater efficiency, even in extreme conditions.
Dual technology that defies the limits of physics
The hypersonic engine created by scientists from Beijing Power Machinery Institute works based on a technology that breaks with traditional jet propulsion standards.
At lower speeds, the system uses a rotating detonation: air mixes with fuel and ignites, creating a rotating shock wave that propels the aircraft with continuous force.
At speeds above Mach 7 — the equivalent of around 8.600 km/h — the engine's behavior changes radically.
The rotating detonation gives way to a stationary oblique detonation, concentrated on a circular platform located at the rear of the engine.
The air, when entering at very high speed, generates an automatic ignition of the fuel, resulting in a shock wave that travels through the engine in a straight line.
This phenomenon is known as “Stationary Oblique Detonation” (Oblique Detonation Wave Engine – ODWE) and has been the subject of study in several countries.
But China appears to have taken a significant step towards practical application of the technology.
Surprising engine energy efficiency
In addition to the almost unimaginable speed, another point that draws attention is the thermodynamic efficiency of the new engine.
According to scientists involved in the project, this type of engine is capable of converting up to 80% of the fuel's chemical energy into kinetic energy.
This represents a gigantic leap compared to conventional continuous combustion engines, which generally only achieve between 20% and 30% energy efficiency.
The explanation lies in the way the detonation occurs: at an almost constant volume, which significantly increases the yield.
This efficiency can translate into significant fuel savings and reduced environmental impact, two of the main challenges facing the aviation industry today.
China and the potential to transform the future of aviation
If laboratory tests are successful and technical challenges are overcome, China's hypersonic engine could mark the beginning of a new era in global aviation.
The impact of this would be felt not only in ultra-fast commercial travel — with intercontinental flights taking less than two hours — but also in space missions, cargo transportation and, inevitably, in the defense sector.
Behind the innovation, concerns also arise about its military use.
Aircraft equipped with this type of engine could easily evade radars and conventional anti-missile systems, becoming virtually undetectable in strategic operations.
Technical Obstacles and the Race for Hypersonic Supremacy
Despite the optimism surrounding the technology, experts warn that there are still considerable obstacles to the engine being integrated into aircraft operational.
The main challenges include controlling the extreme temperature and pressure generated during engine operation, as well as the need to ensure the structural stability of the aircraft at such high speeds.
China is not alone in this race.
The United States, Russia and India are also investing heavily in the development of hypersonic technologies.
The US Department of Defense, for example, has been conducting experiments with vehicles equipped with scramjet engines, which also operate at speeds above Mach 5.
However, unlike scramjets, which run on supersonic combustion, Detonation engines promise greater mechanical simplicity and efficiency, with fewer moving parts — which can represent a significant advantage in terms of cost and maintenance.
Applications that go beyond aviation
In addition to passenger transport, hypersonic technology can also revolutionize space exploration.
The possibility of accelerating spacecraft to Earth orbit in a few minutes would drastically reduce the costs of launching satellites and interplanetary missions.
Private companies such as SpaceX have shown increasing interest in this type of innovation, although they have not yet announced any detonation-based projects.
Chinese development takes place in a context of growing geopolitical dispute, where technological supremacy could redefine the balance of power between major nations.
The ability to launch hypersonic aircraft with precision and efficiency becomes a strategic asset — both in the military and diplomatic fields.
And now?
The expectation is that more tests will be carried out in the coming years, both in simulations and in real flights.
The integration of technology into civil or military aircraft still depends on overcoming complex technical challenges.
Even so, the advance announced by the Chinese government already puts the country in the spotlight in the race for hypersonic supremacy.
If proven to work on a large scale, the engine could profoundly transform global relations, transportation and the way we move around the planet.
The question remains: are we prepared for an era in which any place in the world is just two hours away?
And you, do you think this technology will be used more for commercial travel or military purposes? Leave your opinion in the comments!
