United Airlines Ventures, the venture capital arm of United Airlines, is investing in an aerospace startup called Astro Mechanica with the goal of cultivating fuel-efficient supersonic travel.

United Airlines Invests In Astro Mechanica To Advance Fuel-Efficient Supersonic Flight

Astro Mechanica is developing an adaptive propulsion system called Duality that aims to solve one of the biggest hurdles for supersonic passenger travel: fuel efficiency. While the technology will first be applied in military contexts, United hopes its partnership will eventually pave the way for commercial applications.

United’s Investment In Supersonic Innovation

United Airlines Ventures (UAV), launched in 2021, invests in early-stage aviation startups focused on reshaping the future of flight. According to Mukul Hariharan, UAV’s Managing Partner, the investment in Astro Mechanica represents confidence in a technology that could transform high-speed travel:

“Astro Mechanica is developing an adaptive engine concept for strategic military and commercial applications, addressing the challenging yet worthwhile pursuit of supersonic flight. UAV is excited to join Astro Mechanica’s renowned investment partners to support its exceptional management team as they advance their engine technology and progress towards their first aircraft prototype.”

Astro Mechanica’s trademarked Duality engine incorporates a hybrid electric design that can optimize performance across different phases of flight. It is intended to function like a turbofan at takeoff, a turbojet at high subsonic speeds, and a ramjet at very high supersonic speeds, theoretically allowing efficient travel from takeoff to Mach 3 (one can dream…) and beyond.

Transpacific Supersonic Potential

The company claims its design could lead to the first supersonic aircraft with true transpacific range. CEO and founder Ian Brooke welcomed the partnership with United Airlines Ventures:

“This investment reflects strong conviction in Astro Mechanica from an experienced and credible industry leader. We appreciated UAV’s deep technical grasp of our novel high-speed propulsion technologies. We look forward to working with them as an advisor and collaborator as we move into flight testing for the next era of passenger travel.”

UAV has also invested in Boom Supersonic and hopes to inaugurate supersonic travel over the next decade.

> Read More: Concorde 2.0? Boom Supersonic XB-1 Jet Breaks Sound Barrier During California Test Flight

CONCLUSION

United has already committed to Boom Supersonic’s Overture aircraft, and its new investment in Astro Mechanica further highlights its interest in a future where supersonic travel once again becomes commercially viable. Whether Astro Mechanica’s hybrid-electric propulsion design can deliver on efficiency and range remains to be seen and is years away, but the backing of a major airline investor like United makes me hope we might see the return of supersonic travel (this time on a more sustainable basis) in my lifetime.