Hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft

European aerospace startup Destinus unveiled its hydrogen aircraft prototype Destinus 3 at the Paris Air Show from June 19 to 25.

Destinus 3 aircraft prototype. Photo: Destinus

Destinus aims to produce a hydrogen-powered aircraft capable of carrying passengers between Frankfurt and Shanghai in less than three hours, saving eight hours compared to traditional aircraft, Interesting Engineering reported on June 20. The most interesting thing about Destinus' plan is that it will use hydrogen as fuel, eliminating doubts about emissions during transportation.

Hydrogen was chosen as the fuel because it has three times the calorific value of kerosene, commonly used in aircraft today. Furthermore, it has good cooling properties, making it ideal for combined-cycle engines. This type of engine consists of a turbojet engine that can achieve subsonic and supersonic speeds. Destinus also designed an afterburner that can provide additional thrust when needed.

Destinus plans to launch the first all-hydrogen commercial aircraft around 2030 - 2032. Called Destinus S, the aircraft is expected to carry 25 passengers and have a speed of Mach 5 (5 times the speed of sound), faster than the legendary supersonic aircraft Concorde.

About a decade later, Destinus plans to launch the Destinus L, a larger version capable of carrying up to 400 passengers. This model is expected to travel at Mach 6 and run on cold hydrogen.

To date, Destinus has successfully tested its first prototype, the Destinus 1, a 4-meter-long aircraft also known as the Jungfrau. Last October, the company tested its nearly 10-meter-long Eiger aircraft at subsonic speeds. Last month, Destinus successfully tested its hydrogen afterburner technology, which is also being used on the Destinus 3.

In addition to hydrogen fuel, Destinus will also introduce a new autonomous system with Destinus 3. Flights using liquid hydrogen as fuel are expected to begin early next year. In the first phase, Destinus will attempt subsonic flight and aim for supersonic flight in the second half of 2024.

Thu Thao (According to Interesting Engineering )

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