Destinus successfully tested its Jungfrau subscale technology demonstrator powered by hydrogen afterburners, capable of Mach 5 speed.
Here’s an article posted in Future Flight that talks about the milestone achieved by Destinus.
According to the article,
- Destinus, a European start-up, achieved the first successful flight of its hydrogen-powered aircraft with new hydrogen afterburners.
- The afterburners were developed in-house and integrated with an existing jet turbine engine.
- Afterburners are additional combustion units that generate higher thrust by injecting gaseous hydrogen into the exhaust stream.
In addition to the hydrogen afterburners, Destinus’ innovations in hypersonic aircraft include several advanced features:
- Hybrid Turbo-Ramjet Engine: Destinus is developing a hybrid engine that operates in two modes: as a turbojet at subsonic and low supersonic speeds, and as a ramjet at high supersonic and hypersonic speeds. This dual functionality is crucial for transitioning between different phases of flight efficiently.
- Liquid Hydrogen Fuel System: The aircraft is designed to utilize liquid hydrogen not only as fuel but also as a coolant in the pre-cooler system. This integration enhances engine efficiency and supports the achievement of higher speeds.
- Innovative Feed System: The aircraft features an electric pump as part of its liquid hydrogen feed system, which is essential for managing fuel delivery to the engines effectively.
- Advanced Thermal Protection: To withstand the extreme temperatures associated with hypersonic flight, Destinus incorporates active thermal protection systems into its designs, ensuring the integrity and safety of the aircraft during operation.
- Aerodynamic Design: The airframe of Destinus aircraft is thoughtfully designed to optimize aerodynamic performance at high speeds, contributing to overall efficiency and stability during flight.
- Long Range and High Speed: Destinus aircraft are engineered for impressive range capabilities, with plans for a maximum distance of up to 22,000 km and cruise speeds exceeding Mach 5, which would enable rapid global travel.
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