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Developers prepare to create a ‘green’ hydrogen aircraft aiming for a continuous 9-day global journey.

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LES SABLES D’OLONNE, France — Bertrand Piccard, a trailblazer in aviation, gained recognition a decade ago for leading a groundbreaking flight around the globe in a solar-powered aircraft. This initiative successfully highlighted the pressing issue of climate change, yet it didn’t hint at any transformative changes in air travel. Now, at the age of 66, the Swiss adventurer is aiming for the skies once again, setting his sights on developing more eco-friendly commercial aviation by harnessing super-cold liquid hydrogen.

From his workshop located on the picturesque Atlantic coast of France, Piccard and his team are intensifying their efforts on Climate Impulse, a venture launched last February. Their ambitious goal is to complete a non-stop, two-seater aircraft journey around the globe in nine days, fueled by “green hydrogen.” This form of hydrogen is generated by splitting water molecules using renewable energy through a process known as electrolysis. The presentation of the project’s first-year milestones took place recently in Les Sables d’Olonne, a coastal town renowned for hosting the Vendee Globe sailing race.

As for the timeline of Climate Impulse, the highly anticipated test flights are scheduled for next year, while the demanding round-the-world expedition is planned for 2028. Constructed with lightweight composite materials, the aircraft relies on numerous untested innovations and remains a gamble in many aspects. Piccard remarks that no major aircraft manufacturer is currently willing to take on the risks associated with producing a prototype like Climate Impulse for fear of potential failure. “It’s my job to be a pioneer,” he stated. “We have to show it’s possible, then it’s a big incentive for the others to continue.”

Experts suggest that, even if Climate Impulse proves successful, achieving commercial green hydrogen-powered flight may still be several decades away. The project has attracted significant investment, totaling tens of millions of euros, and the team is expanding as they push forward.

In contrast to the solar-powered plane’s feat in 2015, which was limited in range and required multiple stops, Climate Impulse aims for a revolutionary approach. It is designed to launch without assistance and travel approximately 40,000 kilometers (about 25,000 miles) around the Earth along the Equator without needing to refuel or pause.

The operational mechanics of Climate Impulse involve the controlled release of liquid hydrogen from specially insulated tanks located beneath the plane’s wings, channeling energy into a fuel cell that powers the aircraft. Piccard described the plane’s specifications, which include a wingspan comparable to that of an Airbus 320, a weight of 5.5 tons, and a cruising speed of 180 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). One of the project’s goals is to utilize energy from atmospheric turbulence, which could one day help airlines conserve fuel.

Given the use of hydrogen, the only emissions are anticipated to be water vapor. However, experts caution that the environmental effects of these water vapor “contrails” remain uncertain in larger-scale applications. According to the International Energy Agency, the aviation sector is accountable for approximately 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

While hydrogen has been used in aviation for years, primarily in gas form, the challenge lies in scaling up the usage of liquid hydrogen. Presently, the majority of hydrogen produced relies on fossil fuels, which are cheaper and more efficient. Although governments are keen on increasing green hydrogen production, the global infrastructure still lacks sufficient clean electricity generation to support extensive use in aviation.

In terms of progress, the Climate Impulse team has made notable advancements in the past year, including building the cockpit shell, initiating the construction of the wing spar, and finalizing interior elements. These features include swivel seats, a bunk for resting, and a stationary cycle to maintain blood circulation in low-oxygen environments during the nine-day journey.

Upcoming challenges include rigorous testing of fuel cells and propulsion systems to ensure the electric motor, propeller, and batteries are capable of supporting an initial fully electric flight phase. A major technical hurdle is regulating the flow of liquid hydrogen for optimal fuel efficiency over long distances.

Moreover, maintaining the liquid hydrogen at an extremely low temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius (minus 423 Fahrenheit) is critical, necessitating the construction of a leak-proof containment system. Any leaks represent significant fire risks due to the flammable nature of liquid hydrogen.

Historically, liquid hydrogen has served predominantly as rocket fuel, but its potential in aviation is being explored amid the aviation industry’s accelerated growth in carbon emissions, despite its still relatively minor footprint. The development of electric-powered aircraft has not advanced as rapidly as electric vehicles, and battery weight poses a significant hurdle for aviation technology. “We have not had a ‘Tesla moment’ in aviation yet,” remarked Nikhil Sachdeva, an aviation expert at consulting firm Roland Berger. “Hydrogen has the potential to be that for aviation, which is why it’s worth doing this right.”

The challenge of using super-cold liquid hydrogen is considerable and currently limited to brief time frames. However, Piccard’s previous achievements have proven that his team can tackle what many claim to be impossible, laying the groundwork for potential breakthroughs in the future of aviation.
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