Destinus is developing a supersonic hydrogen-fueled passenger plane that can fly from Germany to Australia in 4 hours
The Swiss company Destinus is working on a passenger aircraft capable of reaching supersonic speeds (over 343 m/s). The funds were allocated by the Spanish Ministry of Science following successful tests of the Eiger prototype at the end of 2022.
Along with the Swiss company, Spanish universities and technology centers are working on the development of a supersonic passenger aircraft. In addition, Destinus is cooperating with the Spanish company ITP Aero to create a facility where hydrogen engines will be tested.
The testing center will be located near Madrid. The first tranche of €12 million has been allocated for its creation. The second tranche of €15 million will finance research.
According to Destinus representatives, the supersonic passenger plane will make it possible to fly from Frankfurt to Sydney in 4 hours and 15 minutes, and from Frankfurt to Shanghai in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Currently, the flight from Europe to Australia takes 20 hours.
Thanks to the grants, Destinus will soon be able to start testing the H2 jet engine. The company will also accelerate the development of propulsion technology that runs exclusively on hydrogen.
The Spanish government is investing heavily in the development of hydrogen engines through strategic projects funded by the European Commission’s Next Gen funds. This is in line with Spain’s National Hydrogen Energy Development Plan. Its goal is to make Spain a world leader in the production of renewable hydrogen and the development of hydrogen mobility in various sectors.
