In the US test facility (TF2) will enable the precooler test article (HTX) to be exposed to high-temperature airflow conditions in excess of 1,000°C (~1800°F) that are expected during high-speed flights up to Mach 5.

They are getting ready for 'hot' heat exchanger tests.

The UK TF1 test site is due to be completed and commissioned during 2019 and will enable us to test critical subsystems along with the testing of a SABRE engine core.

Pre-cooler technology

Reaction Engines pre-coolers are made from thousands of thin-walled tubes to provide high surface area to low weight. Each tube is joined to an inlet and outlet manifold, which allows coolant to be injected and removed for the cooling process. They have unique heat exchanger manufacturing experience to bond thousands of joints in a single operation and achieve zero leakage. The joints in their pre-cooler modules are hermetically sealed, meaning that the gas which escapes can be measured by the molecule.