Flying on Hydrogen: The Future of Air Travel

Summary

The video discusses hydrogen as an ideal fuel for airplanes, highlighting its efficiency and environmental benefits. The concept plane, developed in partnership with NASA and Pratt & Whitney, could use liquid hydrogen to reduce drag and increase range. The speaker shares the story of the International Academy of Science, founded in 1985 with prominent figures like Dr. Willis Hawkins and Dr. Nikolai Tupelov, and their collaboration on hydrogen-powered aircraft. Despite setbacks, the Soviet Union successfully tested the first hydrogen-powered aircraft in 1988, and the video hints at the future of hydrogen in aviation.

Takeaways

• ✈️ Hydrogen is being explored as an ideal fuel for airplanes, potentially doubling their range due to its properties.
• 🛠️ The speaker founded the International Academy of Science in 1985 with a focus on applied science and practical engineering, known as 'ventioneering.'
• 🧑‍🔬 Dr. Willis Hawkins, a key scientist and Skunk Works president, was integral to advancing hydrogen-fueled airplanes.
• 🌬️ Turbulent air over airplane wings creates drag, but cooling the leading edge with liquid hydrogen could create laminar flow, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency.
• ❄️ Liquid hydrogen, which is extremely cold, can be used to cool airplane wings, enhancing performance before being burned in the engines.
• ✍️ Engineers worked on converting the SR-71 Blackbird to run on hydrogen, partnering with Pratt & Whitney to test jet turbines for hydrogen compatibility.
• 😔 The project to create a hydrogen-powered airplane stalled after Dr. Hawkins passed away.
• 🇺🇸🤝🇷🇺 Despite initial tensions, Dr. Willis Hawkins and Dr. Nikolai Tupolev, heads of American and Soviet aerospace divisions, became close collaborators on hydrogen aircraft technology.
• 🛩️ The Soviet Union successfully built and flew the world’s first hydrogen-powered airplane in 1988, with one engine running on hydrogen and two on jet fuel.
• 🚀 Hydrogen-fueled airplanes are expected to become a reality in the near future, marking a significant advancement in aviation.

Q & A

What is the main advantage of using hydrogen as fuel for airplanes?

The main advantage is that hydrogen weighs only one-third as much as jet fuel, allowing planes to potentially fly twice as far with the same amount of fuel.

How does liquid hydrogen contribute to improved aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes?

Liquid hydrogen, due to its very cold temperature, can cool the leading edge of an airplane's wing, which promotes laminar flow, reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.

Who was Dr. Willis Hawkins, and what was his role in the hydrogen plane project?

Dr. Willis Hawkins was the president of Lockheed's Skunk Works and one of the founders of the International Academy of Science. He played a significant role in leading the effort to develop a hydrogen-powered airplane.

What collaboration took place between Lockheed and NASA in the hydrogen airplane project?

NASA, specifically Dr. Robert Wovi at NASA Lewis, came up with the idea of using liquid hydrogen to cool the leading edge of airplane wings, promoting laminar flow. Lockheed's team helped design and develop the engineering aspects of the hydrogen plane.

Why did the initial hydrogen airplane project in California come to a halt?

The project stalled when Dr. Willis Hawkins, a key leader in the project, passed away. His death slowed the momentum and progression of the project.

What was the significance of the first hydrogen-powered airplane developed in the Soviet Union?

In 1988, the Soviet Union successfully flew the first hydrogen-powered airplane. One of its engines ran on hydrogen, while the other two operated on jet fuel as a safety backup. This demonstrated the viability of hydrogen as an aviation fuel.

Who was Dr. Nikolai Tupolev, and how did he contribute to the hydrogen plane project?

Dr. Nikolai Tupolev was the head of the Tupolev Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. He collaborated with the International Academy of Science to develop a hydrogen-powered airliner, and his team successfully flew the world’s first hydrogen plane.

What challenges were encountered in the relationship between Dr. Willis Hawkins and Dr. Nikolai Tupolev?

Initially, tensions arose because Dr. Hawkins had developed U.S. spy planes, while Dr. Tupolev was responsible for preventing such planes from entering Soviet airspace. However, they quickly became good friends and collaborated on the hydrogen plane project.

How does the cooling of airplane wings with hydrogen impact performance?

Cooling the wings with hydrogen helps achieve laminar flow, which reduces turbulence and drag. This results in improved fuel efficiency, allowing planes to travel greater distances with less fuel.

What role did Pratt & Whitney play in the hydrogen airplane project?

Pratt & Whitney, a major manufacturer of jet engines, partnered with the International Academy of Science to certify jet turbines for flight on hydrogen, ensuring that the engines worked effectively with the new fuel.