United Kingdom defunct
Reaction Engines
Reaction Engines Limited (REL) is a UK company developing the SABRE (Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) — a revolutionary combined cycle engine that operates as a jet engine in the atmosphere and as a rocket in space, potentially enabling single-stage-to-orbit and hypersonic point-to-point flight.
- Founded
- 1989
- Headquarters
- Abingdon, United Kingdom
- Ownership
- Private
Quick Facts
About Reaction Engines
Reaction Engines Limited (REL) is a UK company developing the SABRE (Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) — a revolutionary combined cycle engine that operates as a jet engine in the atmosphere and as a rocket in space, potentially enabling single-stage-to-orbit and hypersonic point-to-point flight. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Abingdon, the company's key innovation is a pre-cooler heat exchanger that chills incoming air from 1,000°C to -150°C in just one-twentieth of a second using liquid hydrogen, preventing engine overheating at hypersonic speeds.
Reaction Engines raised over £100M from investors including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Boeing HorizonX, and demonstrated its pre-cooler technology in test firings in 2019. The UK Space Agency has provided grant funding for SABRE development. The technology, if successfully demonstrated at full scale, would fundamentally change the economics of space access by eliminating the need to carry liquid oxygen through the atmosphere.
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- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-09
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Frequently asked about Reaction Engines
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Reaction Engines founded?
- Reaction Engines was founded in 1989 in United Kingdom.
- Where is Reaction Engines headquartered?
- Reaction Engines is headquartered in Abingdon, United Kingdom.
- What does Reaction Engines do?
- Reaction Engines Limited (REL) is a UK company developing the SABRE (Synergistic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) — a revolutionary combined cycle engine that operates as a jet engine in the atmosphere and as a rocket in space, potentially enabling single-stage-to-orbit and hypersonic point-to-point flight. Founded in 1989…
- Is Reaction Engines still operating?
- Reaction Engines is no longer operating. Status: defunct.
- What sector does Reaction Engines operate in?
- Reaction Engines works in propulsion and Hypersonics.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Reaction Engines is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.