#81 | Proving Liquid Hydrogen Flight | AeroDelft’s Project Phoenix

Can liquid hydrogen aviation work with technology that exists *today*? In Episode 81 of HYSKY Monthly*, we sit down with *Duuk Niemantsverdriet and Arthur Romanelli Chaves of AeroDelft to go inside *Project Phoenix*—the student-led effort working to demonstrate hydrogen-electric flight and help advance the technology, safety practices, and certification pathways needed to make hydrogen aviation a reality. AeroDelft has already demonstrated its full-scale hydrogen-electric powertrain and completed a gaseous-hydrogen taxi test at an operational airport. Now, the team is working toward the next major milestones: gaseous hydrogen flight and, ultimately, liquid hydrogen flight. We get into the engineering behind the aircraft, including its fuel-cell powertrain, hydrogen storage, thermal management, cryogenic LH₂ system, heat exchanger, hydrogen venting, and the transition from gaseous to liquid hydrogen. Duuk and Arthur also explain why some of the hardest challenges aren't simply technical—they involve safety, certification, infrastructure, regulation, and building confidence in hydrogen as an aviation fuel. The conversation also explores AeroDelft's unusual model: a rotating student team taking on challenges normally associated with major aerospace companies, supported by an ecosystem of aviation, engineering, research, hydrogen, and technology partners. In this episode: Project Phoenix • Liquid vs. gaseous hydrogen • Hydrogen fuel cells • Cryogenic LH₂ storage • Thermal management • Hydrogen safety • Aircraft certification • Hydrogen infrastructure • The economics of hydrogen • The future of zero-emission aviation HYSKY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the decarbonization of aviation and aerospace through connection, community, advocacy, awareness, and education. Subscribe for more conversations with the engineers, founders, researchers, policymakers, and organizations building the future of hydrogen aviation. #HydrogenAviation #LiquidHydrogen #AeroDelft #ProjectPhoenix #Hydrogen #Aviation #SustainableAviation #FuelCells #Aerospace #HYSKY