[Pics] Climate Impulse marks first year of progress toward liquid hydrogen-powered flight

The Climate Impulse project, aiming for the world’s first nine-day, zero-emission global flight using green hydrogen, celebrated its first anniversary in Les Sables d’Olonne (France) with major technological advancements.

Led by Swiss pioneer Bertrand Piccard (who completed the first world tour in 2016 on a solar-powered plane, the Solar Impulse) and Belgian chemical company Syensqo CEO Ilham Kadri, the project has completed the cockpit and advanced-composites wing construction, with Syensqo’s lightweight epoxy and carbon fibre composite materials potentially extending the aircraft’s range by 9,000 km.

Key 2024 milestones include cockpit development, interior fittings, wing spar manufacturing, and the unveiling of a 3D aircraft model. Looking ahead, 2025-26 will see hydrogen fuel cell testing, aircraft assembly at Châteauroux Airport, and the first test flights in 2026. Fuel cells already have an efficiency of 55%, which is very high compared to internal combustion engines using fossil fuels.

Syensqo leads as the main technological partner, alongside Airbus, Ariane, Safran, and UM6P/OCP Group (University Mohammed VI Polytechnic and Office Chérifien des Phosphates), which fosters research in decarbonisation. The project aims to prove hydrogen’s viability in aviation, inspiring global adoption of sustainable technologies.

Since Airbus postponed its own research on gaseous hydrogen-powered planes, the Climate Impulse project has become a test bench for Airbus. Since the cockpit is not pressurised, the test flights will fly no higher than FL100 (3,000 metres).

In a recent conversation, Tom Cruise (“Top Gun”) told Bernard Piccard that he volunteered to be one of the first passengers onboard the Climate Impulse.