This week, construction began on the new test facility at Westcott Venture Park in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. It will include a propulsion test stand that can accommodate various test engine configurations, an assembly building, workshops, offices and a control room. Support facilities will enable configuration changes to the engine to take place on-site.
The site was originally built as a base for training bomber crews during World War II, but after the war it became a government facility for research into rocket propulsion. The Blue Streak missile and Black Arrow satellite carrier rocket were both tested at Westcott. Testing of the SABRE engine is due to commence in 2020, with testing of the engine’s pre-cooler system expected to take place in 2018.
http://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/work-begins-uk-rocket-facility
I have significant hopes and dreams invested in Skylon.
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