A new jet engine design able to fly seven times the speed of sound is scheduled to launch over Australia on Friday. The scramjet engine, known as Hyshot III, has been designed by British defence firm Qinetiq. If successful, it could pave the way for ultrafast, intercontinental air travel, and substantially cut the cost of putting small payloads into space. The engine will launch on a rocket owned by the University of Queensland. It is the first of three test flights planned for this year by the international Hyshot consortium. The first Hyshot engine was launched in 2001 but the...