The selection and engineering of specific advanced materials (AdMs) play an important role in the design of hydrogen aircraft. Particularly key is the efficient storage of hydrogen, which requires the selected material to have either a strong interaction with hydrogen, or no reaction at all. Six methods of reversible hydrogen storage with a high volumetric and gravimetric density have been identified, which vaguely centre around three storage types: high-pressure gas storage, cryogenic liquid storage, and absorbed storage, where hydrogen is absorbed into a material and then selectively release ..read more

The concept of blended wing body (BWB) aircraft has been around for almost as long as the self-propelled flight itself and consists of a fixed-wing aircraft with no clear divide between the wings and the main body (the fuselage). The design was first proposed in the early 1920s when the Westland Dreadnought was built to test the aerodynamic effects of such a design. While this first prototype quickly proved unfeasible – it stalled on its first flight in 1924, injuring the pilot and ending the project– the Dreadnought paved the way for subsequent BWB concepts. The first BWB aircraft to be put i ..read more

Aircraft have a reputation for pollution. Aviation makes up 2% to 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Some think that hydrogen is the solution. Hydrogen power has been in development for many years, with the first simple hydrogen fuel cell invented in 1842 by Sir William Grove and the first functional hydrogen-powered car developed in 1860. However, throughout the 20th century, hydrogen took a backseat to fossil fuels. The major development in hydrogen power was the invention of the hydrogen fuel cell. In 1939, a 5kW fuel cell was developed, but it took several years for it to become powerf ..read more

Since the outbreak of the first high-intensity conflict on the European subcontinent since WWII, one of the key strategic takeaways has been the fundamental failure of the global defence industry to meet the requisite level of production for munitions of all types. High-intensity warfare often dictates that the industrial capabilities of warring states must be re-purposed to support the war effort in order to offset surging demand for replacement equipment or munitions, a challenge which both Russia and Ukraine have struggled to overcome for the past year. Recent estimates indicate that Russia ..read more

Recent events within the space industry have left investors equal parts amazed and underwhelmed, with the sector’s progress being somewhat hit and miss. Although this will undermine business confidence in the short term, GlobalData maintains that the space economy is still set for an infrastructure boom by 2030. The good, the bad, and the ugly The space economy’s recent fortunes have been mixed. The James Webb Telescope continues to offer unparalleled insights into both our solar system and our wider universe, while low earth orbit (LEO) satellite operators continue to reach new deals with com ..read more

In early August, it was reported that SpaceX’s Starlink satellites had been beset by squalls of space debris, primarily taking place near the orbital location of the now destroyed Cosmos 1408 satellite. The Cosmos 1408 satellite was destroyed in November 2021, when a Russian direct-ascent ASAT weapon was tested on the Soviet-era satellite. Reportedly, an A-235/ PL-19 Nudol missile was launched into Low Earth Orbit from Plesetsk Cosmodrone, destroying the 1,750kg satellite into thousands of pieces. This explosion has now formed an expanding cloud of debris which is affecting and threatening ope ..read more

The war in Ukraine has strained cooperation in space, with the International Space Station (ISS) a central issue in a war of words between Russia and the West. In late April, the head of Russia’s space program, Roscosmos, said that Russia would be withdrawing from the ISS, and would give partner nations 12 months’ notice in advance. However, in late May, the Director-General of the European Space Agency (ESA) said that the agency does not expect to terminate the joint operation of the station. Currently, as it stands, the 15 international partners operating the ISS have agreed to operate the s ..read more

Ongoing excitement and investment in this revolutionary form of tourism have meant segmentation is destined to occur. Space Perspective looks set to add another choice for space tourists in the coming years, increasing market competitiveness and pushing innovation further. Space Perspective has created a unique balloon-based system to transport customers to the stratosphere. In October 2021, it was announced that the luxury-focused start-up had raised $40m in Series A funding, demonstrating that investors see Space Perspective as a disrupter in a sub-sector that remains embryonic. Space Perspe ..read more

In September 2021 the UK released its national space strategy, but notable in the document were the relatively little commitments for new funding. Areas which have been allocated funding include the Skynet communications system, as well as £1.4bn for technology funding, but the majority of goals outlined in the report rely on private sector growth. This space strategy was developed in part as a response to increasingly codified global space strategies, in particular in the US. William Davies, Associate Analyst at GlobalData comments: “The admission that the UK has invested less in space than i ..read more

At the 2022 Singapore Airshow, on February 15, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled its latest model of loitering munition – the Harpy NG (New Generation). Loitering munitions are similar to drones, but are themselves the weapon; they fly to a target’s destination, loiter in the air searching and once a target is located it strikes – similar to a missile or conventional munition. As well as loitering munitions, Israel has a significant vested interest in another type of unmanned aircraft: unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). GlobalData reported that in 2021, Israel attained a 9% shar ..read more