World's largest liquid-hydrogen aircraft, SpaceX-NASA Crew 8 mission and, personal aircraft by 2025

The US recently undertook ground testing on the world’s largest liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft engine simulating a flight typical of a regional airline. US-based Universal Hydrogen was responsible for testing this 1-megawatt (MW) fuel cell using liquid hydrogen marking a significant step toward carbon-free aviation in the future. For more on this story, check out today’s Must Read. 

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MUST READ

♻️ World’s largest liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft engine tested in US

The ground test of the hydrogen-backed aircraft lasted one hour and 40 minutes. The US-based firm–Universal Hydrogen completed testing this 1-megawatt (MW) fuel cell using liquid hydrogen and conducted the aircraft testing at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

This is being referred to as the largest trial of a liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft powertrain in the world thus far. Hydrogen fuel cells have proven to be more promising compared to other carbon-free alternatives to fuel aircraft particularly for regional flights.

Now the startup claims that hydron fuel was able to power the Iron Bird for three hours at full power. They also emphasized that two such modules would suffice for a regional trip of about 500 miles plus reserves for an ATR72 aircraft.

👩🏼‍🚀 NASA launches fresh batch of astronauts, experiments to Space Station

Earlier on Sunday, March 3, NASA launched a new group of astronauts and experiments to the International Space Station (ISS), with Crew 8 scheduled to stay aboard until the end of August.

The Crew 8 mission was a collaboration between Musk-owned SpaceX and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the US launched into the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelling the Dragon spacecraft into orbit at 10:53 p.m. EST from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday. This launch had been postponed twice earlier due to adverse weather conditions in the area.

The Crew-8 mission entails a six-month stay at the ISS conducting several experiments on the craft. It will take more than 18 hours for the four crew members to reach the orbital station.

✈️ Nisus: The personal aircraft that takes flying to the next level

Doroni Aerospace, a company headquartered in Miami, Florida, is all set to introduce the H1-X in 2025–an innovative electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying car designed to fit snugly within a standard garage.

The firm announced that customers could receive the first fully working units by as early as 2025 if everything goes according to plan. This initiative seeks to redefine the notion of personal air travel, promising both convenience and efficiency.

CEO Doron Merdinger says that the comapny aims to maximize speed, range, and practicality. “We redesigned the entire airframe for improved aerodynamics,” added the CEO. With rigorous flight testing on the horizon and a determined pursuit of Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) certification, Doroni Aerospace is on track to realize its vision of urban mobility revolutionized by the H1-X.

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