Image credit: h2clipper.com
A startup is re-imagining the hydrogen airship for the 21st century
We all have heard of the ancient hydrogen Blimps, lighter than air crafts deployed for various purposes since 1900 and also called zeppelins. They became popular from the 1920s to the 1930s. However, on May 6th, 1937, a German passenger airship called Hindenburg caught fire killing 35 of the 97 people on board in an accident in New Jersey, USA. Thereafter, the airships were all but abandoned as a concept.
However, innovators are re-imagining the concept for the 21st century, seeing it as a clean and green option for cargo transportation.
H2 Clipper Inc., an aerospace and alternative energy company based in Santa Barbara, California, recently announced the completion of a simulated wind tunnel test of its hydrogen-powered airship. The test, which was conducted using computational fluid dynamics, confirms the airship’s aerodynamic design achieves an extremely low level of residual drag.
The new lighter-than-air aircraft, known as the ‘H2 Clipper’, uses green hydrogen for both lift and forward propulsion. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the H2 Clipper can achieve payloads of up to 277 Tonnes while consuming 70 per cent less fuel than traditional air freighters.
Additionally, the H2 Clipper is up to seven times faster than shipping by truck or cargo vessel, making it an ideal solution for time-sensitive shipments. Best of all, the H2 Clipper is fully carbon-free, making it a truly sustainable form of transportation.
When operational, the airship will be able to transport large quantities of hydrogen over long distances with minimal environmental impact. With its unique combination of affordability, speed, and sustainability, the H2 Clipper is poised to revolutionize the way we move goods around the world.
The recent wind tunnel test marks an important milestone in its development.
The application areas for this type of craft are:
1. Freight Transportation
2. Green Hydrogen Transportation
3. Telecom Satellite & Relay
4. Relief Missions
The company’s mission statement says: To accelerate the hydrogen economy worldwide through the rapid, cost-efficient delivery of green hydrogen and other forms of freight; and provide a practical solution to “last-mile” delivery of pure hydrogen to end-users.
That's a worthwhile mission which can contribute a lot to making the planet greener and healthier.
You can check more details and follow the progress at www.h2clipper.com
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