U.S. aviation start-up Universal Hydrogen has closed its doors after failing to secure the funding needed to continue development of its fuel cell-based propulsion system. fuel cell propulsion system and its modular storage solution.
The closure announcement, first made in a letter to shareholders last week and reported by the Seattle Times, came after a last-ditch attempt to merge with regional carrier Silver Airways.
Ambitious plans and successful flight before closure
Universal Hydrogen, established in 2020, had received a $100 million investment from various investors. Its goal was to have its hydrogen propulsion system operating on a modified ATR 72 regional aircraft by 2026. modified ATR 72 regional aircraft by 2026..
The company’s plan also included the development of a liquid hydrogen logistics infrastructure at airports and liquid hydrogen logistics infrastructure at airports The company’s plan also included the development of a liquid hydrogen logistics infrastructure at airports to refuel aircraft equipped with its propulsion system.
Last year, Universal Hydrogen successfully flew a Dash 8 test aircraft with a megawatt-class with a megawatt-class hydrogen fuel cell electric propulsion system. This aircraft was part of a two-year test program at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California.
Jon Gordon confirmed the closure of Universal Hydrogen
Jon Gordon, chief commercial officer and co-founder of Universal! confirmed the company’s closure in a LinkedIn post, citing that the Dash 8 had completed 13 successful flights. mentioning that the Dash 8 had completed 13 successful flights.
Engineers in Toulouse, France, had also begun ground testing of an Iron-bird equipped with its propulsion system and liquid hydrogen storage module earlier this year.
Despite the advances, the company faced significant technical challenges in the handling of compressed liquid hydrogen, as well as in the development and integration of a liquid hydrogen fuel cell-based propulsion system in aircraft.
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Source and photo: aerospacetestinginternational
