Hydrogen-powered aircraft: Fundamental concepts, key technologies, and environmental impacts

Civil aviation provides an essential transportation network that connects the world and supports global economic growth. To maintain these benefits while meeting environmental goals, next-generation aircraft must have drastically reduced climate impacts. Hydrogen-powered aircraft have the potential to fly existing routes with no carbon emissions and reduce or eliminate other emissions. This paper is a comprehensive guide to hydrogen-powered aircraft that explains the fundamental physics and reviews current technologies. We discuss the impact of these technologies on aircraft design, cost, certification, and environment. In the long term, hydrogen aircraft appear to be the most compelling alternative to today’s…