Conscious Aerospace marked a significant milestone in the development of their Hydrogen Aircraft Propulsion and Storage System (HAPSS) with the inauguration of a hangar at Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA). The company is making strides towards powering aircraft with hydrogen, aiming to be the first to carry over 30 passengers across a 750 km distance.
Conscious Aerospace, part of the government’s Aviation in Transition initiative, celebrated its one-year anniversary and received support from the National Growth Fund, allowing them to create the HAPSS system. Over ten Dutch companies and knowledge institutions collaborated in aviation, maritime, and automotive sectors. Their presence was felt during the hangar’s unveiling ceremony at RTHA, where a plaque was revealed, speeches delivered, and video messages from De Havilland and Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Mark Harbers, were featured.
Conscious Aerospace’s ambitious plan is to have a turboprop aircraft, Dash 8-300, carrying over 30 passengers from Rotterdam to London, powered by HAPSS, by 2028. The advantage lies in retrofitting existing aircraft with zero-emission technology, expediting the transition to hydrogen. The company has already signed a cooperation agreement with Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland in April 2023.
This hangar’s inauguration represents not only a significant step for Conscious Aerospace but also for Rotterdam The Hague Airport’s transition to hydrogen. As the innovation platform of the Schiphol Airport Group, the airport is actively pursuing sustainable aviation solutions and sees Conscious Aerospace as a catalyst for advancing the hydrogen transition.
The importance of Conscious Aerospace’s arrival is emphasized by Deputy Jeanette Baljeu of the province of South Holland, who views pioneers like Conscious Aerospace as crucial in the energy transition. Hydrogen applications in aviation, inland navigation, and regional transport can significantly contribute to sustainability goals.
The aviation sector currently accounts for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions, making a shift towards sustainability imperative. Conscious Aerospace is determined to achieve full hydrogen-based zero emissions by 2028, with the newly inaugurated hangar and a growing operational team playing pivotal roles in this endeavour.