Noun
scramjet (plural scramjets)
(aeronautics) A jet engine capable of propelling an aircraft at hypersonic speeds, in which combustion of the fuel/air mixture occurs at supersonic speeds.
Although scramjet engines have been studied for many decades, only recently have small experimental units been flight tested and then only very briefly (e.g. the Boeing X-43 ). Source: Internet
In May 2010 the Boeing X-51 set the endurance record for the longest scramjet burn at over 200 seconds. Source: Internet
The facility has also been used for scramjet propulsion studies ( National Aerospace Plane (NASP) ) and meteoroid/orbital debris impact studies ( Space Station and RLV ). Source: Internet
The name "scramjet" comes from "Supersonic Combusting Ramjet." Source: Internet
The NASP was supposed to have been a scramjet powered hypersonic aircraft, but failed in development. Source: Internet
Thus with for example scramjet designs (e.g. X-43 ) the mass budgets do not seem to close for orbital launch. Source: Internet