Imagine jet-setting from Europe to Australia in just over four hours instead of the current 20-hour flight. It may sound like a far-fetched idea, but Swiss start-up Destinus is making this vision a reality. After two years of testing its prototype Eiger, the company has caught the attention of the Spanish Ministry of Science, which has awarded Destinus a grant to continue research and development on a supersonic flight that uses hydrogen as fuel.
To achieve this feat, Destinus is collaborating with Spanish engine company ITP Aero to build a facility to test hydrogen engines. The grant will fund the construction of a test facility near Madrid, where the air-breathing hydrogen engines will undergo rigorous testing. Meanwhile, a second grant worth €15 million will support research into the use of liquid hydrogen to power transportation.
The promise of hydrogen power as a green alternative to traditional fuels is driving intense research and development in this field. Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne have even developed 3D-printed catalysts that can power flights at five times the speed of sound, enabling future commercial airlines to fly from London to New York in just 90 minutes. By investing in Destinus and other hydrogen-based transportation initiatives, Spain is positioning itself as a leader in this emerging field.
Destinus is wasting no time in putting the Spanish government’s grants to good use. The company is already making plans to flight test an H2 post-combustor jet engine while working to accelerate hydrogen-only engine technology. The ultimate goal is to make air travel faster, more sustainable, and more efficient. Destinus believes that hydrogen-powered flight is the future of the aviation industry, and they are committed to making it a reality.
The Spanish government’s investment in developing hydrogen propulsion aligns with the European Commission’s Next Gen funds, which aim to support strategic projects that contribute to economic resilience and transformation. It is also in line with the Spanish Plan Nacional del Hidrógeno, which seeks to make Spain a world leader in producing renewable hydrogen and developing hydrogen-based mobility in various sectors. By investing in companies like Destinus, the Spanish government is not only advancing the country’s economic interests but also contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
Davide Bonetti, VP of Business Development and Products for Destinus, is excited about the future of hydrogen-powered flight. He believes that the grants from the Spanish government will help Destinus compete globally and accelerate the innovation needed to bring hydrogen-based solutions for aeronautical mobility to market. With access to EU recovery funds and government support, Destinus is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of air travel.
