SPL ADVANCES HYDROGEN-POWERED CONNECTIVITY IN UK AVIATION INNOVATION

Stratospheric Platforms Advances Hydrogen-Powered Connectivity in UK Aviation Innovation

As the UK Civil Aviation Authority expands the Hydrogen Challenge, Stratospheric Platforms is proud to be at the forefront of pioneering hydrogen-powered aviation.

Richard Deakin, CEO of Stratospheric Platforms, said:

“The UK is taking a global leadership role in hydrogen aviation, and we are delighted to contribute with our Stratomast system. This high-altitude, liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft represents a breakthrough in delivering high-capacity, low-latency data connectivity, directly addressing future connectivity demands while ensuring zero-carbon aviation solutions.”

Tim Johnson, Director of Communications, Strategy and Policy at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added:

“We are working with some of the most innovative companies and minds to better understand this technology and how it might be introduced safely in the aerospace sector. In doing so, it offers the potential to enable a more sustainable aerospace system and support UK economic growth.”

UK ON COURSE TO LEAD WORLD IN HYDROGEN FUEL AS AVIATION REGULATOR EXPANDS HYDROGEN CHALLENGE

• The UK Civil Aviation Authority has announced the expansion and extension of the Hydrogen Challenge by launching a second round.
• Hydrogen offers one option for revolutionising the aviation industry. The challenge covers hydrogen propulsion testing, airport infrastructure development and innovating aircraft systems.
• The Challenge is designed to prepare the aerospace industry for the adoption of hydrogen as a zero-carbon aviation fuel.

Thirteen leading UK companies are working with the Civil Aviation Authority to develop the technology, and infrastructure of the future to see widespread hydrogen fuel use in aviation.

The next stage of the Hydrogen Challenge will see the development of:

• New designs of cutting-edge aircraft that use hydrogen fuel cell power systems and remotely piloted systems to drive down carbon emissions.
• Changes to airport infrastructure that could be rolled out nationwide in future, paving the way for hydrogen including safe storage and refuelling.
• New scientific research by some of Britain’s leading aeronautical institutes that will expand our understanding of this new fuel.
• Flight trials, safety assessments, and demos to refine performance, address regulatory challenges, and unlock the full potential of the technology.

Tim Johnson, Director of Communications, Strategy and Policy at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“These trials keep the UK on course to be a world leader in hydrogen propulsion.

“We are working with some of the most innovative companies and minds to better understand this technology and how it might be introduced safely in the aerospace sector.  In doing so, it offers the potential to enable a more sustainable aerospace system and support UK economic growth.”

The projects will create a better understanding of hydrogen technologies, shape future regulation, and ensure that they are safely adopted into the aerospace sector.

Some of the thirteen companies joining the Hydrogen Sandbox include:

1. Cranfield Aerospace Solutions will use their Project Fresson 1a, to test potential regulation for hydrogen fuel cell electric propulsion systems on aircraft.
2. Oxford University is exploring the key scientific challenges of pressurising, heating and combusting initially cryogenic hydrogen to enable hydrogen combustion at the heart of gas turbines.
3. ZeroAvia is setting out how we get to the widespread use of hydrogen-powered aircraft. This includes safe hydrogen fuel storage, distribution and refuelling practices at airfields and on aircraft.
4. Qdot is developing a zero-emission and long-range unmanned aircraft, with the ability to carry heavy loads. This would be used for logistics, monitoring and servicing offshore operations.
5. Stratospheric Platforms is developing the ‘Stratomast’, a high-altitude, remotely piloted, liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft system designed to deliver high-capacity low-latency data connectivity direct-to-device.
6. Rolls-Royce is designing gas turbines that will be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen. The project will build a crucial understanding of these emerging technologies.
7. Intelligent Energy is exploring regulatory and certification challenges associated with integrating hydrogen fuel cell systems into aerospace applications.
8. Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) is using Kirkwall Airport aerodrome as a test to explore how hydrogen fuel infrastructure would be rolled out across aircraft and airports in Scotland.
9. Regional & City Airports Ltd is running trials at Exeter Airport to test different approaches for storing a refuelling hydrogen fuel and fill gaps in existing knowledge.
10. Ultima Forma is developing vacuum containment barrier systems for liquid hydrogen storage. Lightweight composites and the electroformed materials structure maintain a high vacuum and provide a hydrogen barrier.

The Challenge, which launched in 2024, has been expanded. Trials will now last three years to increase the development potential for the companies involved. The results from the 2024 Hydrogen Challenge will be published in the near future.