Destinus
, a European aerospace firm specializing in high-speed, hydrogen-powered airplanes, has been awarded grants by the Spanish Ministry of Science as part of a €12 million project to further the research and development of supersonic flight utilizing hydrogen as fuel.
The project involves Spanish universities as well as companies and technology centers. Last June Destinus and Spanish engine manufacturer ITP Aero agreed to jointly develop a hydrogen engine test facility to showcase their research in hydrogen combustion.
The grant funds the construction of a test facility near Madrid for air-breathing hydrogen engines that Destinus will help design and test. A second grant funds research into liquid hydrogen-powered propulsion with plans to test propulsion systems for future supersonic hydrogen-powered aircraft. The second grant project has an overall investment of €15 million.
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As part of a strategic initiative to produce renewable hydrogen and develop hydrogen-based mobility in various sectors, the Spanish government invests heavily in developing hydrogen propulsion through projects funded by the European Commission's Next Gen funds.
Aligned with those goals, Destinus – which is based in Switzerland and has locations in Germany, France and Spain – will soon flight test a H2 post-combustor jet engine while working to accelerate hydrogen-only engine technology.
“We are delighted to have been awarded these grants, especially because they are a clear sign that Destinus is aligned with the strategic lines of Spain and Europe to advance hydrogen flight," said Davide Bonetti, vice president of business development and products for Destinus. “For deep tech companies like us, access to these [European Union] recovery funds is essential to carry out advanced research and accelerate the innovation needed to be competitive on a global scale. With these grants, hydrogen-based solutions for aeronautical mobility will be one step closer to becoming a reality.”