World first over Nevada
World first over Nevada
This is the first-ever flight test to measure contrails produced by the direct combustion of hydrogen (H₂). The experiment was part of an international collaboration, led by Airbus, in which two identical gliders were fitted with turbojet engines and towed to altitude by a Grob Egrett aircraft, before powering up and flying solo. The key difference between them: the Blue Condor glider ran on hydrogen, while the other used kerosene. Flying at an altitude of 32,000 feet (almost ten kilometres) – the typical altitude of long-distance commercial jets – researchers from the DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics measured trace gases, aerosols and contrail ice crystals in each aircraft's exhaust plume. Seen here before measurements began is the view from above Blue Condor's tailplane. A thin tow rope is visible on the left, attached to the nose of the kerosene-powered glider ahead. Just under the towed-glider's wing (on the right in the photo) are small wisps of clouds emanating from Blue Condor’s hydrogen exhaust, which emerges as a thin contrail, varying in its density. Contrails typically form in the wake of aircraft with combustion engines and can develop into cirrus clouds, which are a major contributor to aviation's climate impact. Future technologies such as hydrogen-powered aircraft could not only eliminate carbon dioxide emissions entirely, but also substantially reduce their 'non-CO₂' effects – including aerosols and contrails – compared with kerosene-fuelled aircraft.
Credit:
Airbus/Perlan Project