Building on good results of initial 4,000-lb. demonstrator RDRE engines, NASA says larger pressure-gain rockets hold promise for future space missions.

Beginning in 1964, watch the history of supersonic civil transports unfold on the covers of Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Previous work on hypersonic accelerator and high-speed patent provide possible clues as to GE’s ambitions for rotating detonation technology.

Overemphasizing technology and design can burn cash and slow certification.

Long-term pressure gain remains the goal, but compact combustion is accelerating near-term adoption of the technology for high-speed propulsion systems.