JAXA is implementing a project to develop a core technology for hydrogen-fueled aircraft as a next-generation aircraft development project adopted under the Green Innovation Fund project promoted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Presently, JAXA is building facilities necessary for the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft and developing a liquid hydrogen fuel pump jointly with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). The main purpose of the project is to realize a carbon-neutral society by 2050. TAGUCHI Hideyuki, who is engaged in the project, talks about the significance of JAXA's participation in this project as follows.

"For the creation of a carbon-neutral society, it is considered effective to manufacture hydrogen fuel by using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and make use of the fuel for automobiles and aircraft. Liquid hydrogen fuel is necessary for hydrogen-fueled aircraft because of its high density aspect comparing to gas hydrogen. However, the technology to deal with liquid hydrogen fuel in a safe manner is not widely available. JAXA has developed and accumulated the technologies to control and supply liquid hydrogen fuel precisely in the research on rockets and hypersonic passenger aircraft. We can make use of the technologies to the development of hydrogen-fueled aircraft."

KHI has also promoted the development of technologies to make, transport, store and use hydrogen. "This joint development project has an important role that it can help Japan contribute to create a sustainable society by making practical use of the technologies that are indispensable for the realization of a carbon-neutral society ahead of others in the world," says TAGUCHI, who hopes that JAXA will promote the development by the collaboration with KHI.

The joint development period is fiscal years from 2021 to 2030. About the future, in consideration of the fact that Airbus aims to make practical use of hydrogen-fueled aircraft in 2035, TAGUCHI says, "If the development work proceeds as planned, we might be able to travel by hydrogen-fueled passenger aircraft in the 2030s. Moreover, it could lead to the development of a hypersonic aircraft that can transport passengers from Tokyo to the United States in two hours."

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