• In 2035, Airbus aims to fly a green plane equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine.

  • To study the trails left by a hydrogen engine at high altitude, Airbus will use gliders.

  • A test campaign which will begin at the end of the year.

It is not supposed to emit carbon dioxide, unlike current devices that fly thanks to kerosene.

But what will be the impact on greenhouse gas emissions of the future “green plane” equipped with a hydrogen engine?

To answer this question, Airbus UpNext, a 100% subsidiary of the European aircraft manufacturer, will launch a flight test program to study the drag produced by a hydrogen combustion engine.

Imagine this glider - but equipped w/ a hydrogen combustion engine.

The Blue Condor project w/ @PerlanProject @DLR_en is doing just that to test #H2's impact on contrails.

First 🛩️ test of the modified glider is expected by end 2022. https://t.co/GC82wL8MuR #FIA2022 #AirbusUpNext pic.twitter.com/ohvW3IFqAI

— Airbus (@Airbus) July 20, 2022


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Baptized “Blue Condor”, it will consist of flying two Arcus gliders, one having a hydrogen combustion engine, the other powered by kerosene.

Engineers will thus be able to compare the contrails emitted at high altitude for the two devices.

First test flights at the end of the year

“Contrail characterization is of considerable interest to Airbus.

We know that hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, but we also know that since water vapor and heat are the most important by-products, burning hydrogen produces contrails," explained Sandra Bour Schaeffer, CEO of Airbus UpNext.

The glider pilots will be none other than those who in 2018 set the subsonic altitude world record – at 76,124 feet – in a pressurized glider for Airbus

Perlan Mission II

.

The first test flights are to take place at the end of the year in North Dakota, USA.

These tests are part of Airbus' broader program to decarbonise aviation, with a hydrogen-powered aircraft being developed in 2035 emitting zero emissions.

And thus responding to the increasingly pressing demand for cleaner aviation.

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