Sirius CEO-JET and Adventure Jet: Pioneering the Future of Hydrogen Aviation

Sirius CEO-JET and Adventure Jet: Pioneering the Future of Hydrogen Aviation

In collaboration with BMW Group Designworks, Sirius Aviation AG has unveiled two new hydrogen-powered luxury business jets: the Sirius CEO-JET and the Sirius Adventure Jet. The global debut of these aircraft took place on June 20, 2024, at the MOVE Expo in London, a premier tech mobility event. Alexey Popov, Founder and CEO of Sirius Aviation AG, led the presentation alongside BMW Group Designworks, showcasing the jets' cutting-edge features and upscale design.

Sirius CEO-JET and Adventure Jet

 The global debut of these aircraft took place on June 20, 2024, at the MOVE Expo in London, a premier tech mobility event. Alexey Popov, Founder and CEO of Sirius Aviation AG, led the presentation alongside BMW Group Designworks, showcasing the jets' cutting-edge features and upscale designKey features of the Sirius CEO-JET include:
 
The CEO-Jet, built to seat three passengers, is tailored for the private business aviation market, offering zero-emission flights alongside luxurious, customizable amenities.
  • A hydrogen-electric powertrain for zero carbon emissions
  • Cruising speeds of up to 323 knots
  • A range of up to 1,150 miles
  • Seating for three passengers
  • Extensive customization options for the interior, including unique colors, upholstery, and amenities like champagne fridges and pet accommodations
The Sirius Adventure Jet, designed for leisure and adventurous pursuits, offers:
  • A pioneering hydrogen-electric powertrain for sustainable travel
  • A range of up to 1,050 miles
  • Speeds reaching 323 knots
  • Accommodation for five passengers
  • An exploration-ready design providing access to remote locations

Popov emphasized the company's mission to revolutionize air travel with sustainable solutions, stating, "The CEO-JET offers an eco-friendly option for business travel, while the Adventure Jet opens new horizons for global tourism and exploration."This development represents a significant step forward in addressing the environmental concerns associated with private aviation.\

By utilizing hydrogen-electric propulsion, Sirius Aviation aims to bridge the gap for individuals who desire to own a business jet while prioritizing eco-consciousness. The unveiling of these aircraft demonstrates the trend towards sustainable luxury travel and the aviation industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. 

Hydrogen-Electric Powertrain

Hydrogen fuel cells offer a high weight-to-power density ratio, making them ideal for aviation applications. The liquid hydrogen used in the CEO-JET needs to be stored at extremely low temperatures, but it provides a significant amount of energy, enabling longer flight ranges compared to battery-only electric aircraft. The CEO-JET can achieve a range of up to 1,150 miles (1,850 km) per trip, which is substantially higher than many other eVTOL aircraft.

The CEO-JET hydrogen-electric powertrain combines the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells with electric propulsion. This system includes a liquid hydrogen fuel tank that feeds a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing water as a byproduct. This electricity is then used to charge the main battery banks, which power the aircraft's 28 ducted fans. The system offers several advantages:

  • High energy density and efficiency, with a weight-to-power density ratio ideal for aviation applications
  • Longer flight ranges compared to battery-only electric aircraft, up to 1,150 miles (1,850 km) per trip.
  • Cost-effectiveness, with an estimated $500 to fully refill the fuel tank
  • A regenerative power system featuring a booster battery pack that recharges during flight, enhancing operational efficiency

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how it works:

  • Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Tank: The aircraft has a liquid hydrogen fuel tank that stores hydrogen at extremely low temperatures.
  • Fuel Cell Stack: Liquid hydrogen is fed into a fuel cell stack, which reacts with air oxygen. This chemical reaction generates electricity and produces water as a byproduct.
  • Electricity Generation: The electricity generated by the fuel cell stack is used to charge the main battery banks.
  • Powering the Fans: The charged batteries then power the aircraft's 28 ducted fans responsible for propulsion.

This system ensures zero carbon emissions, as the only byproduct is water, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional jet fuel-powered aircraft.

The CEO-JET's propulsion system is designed to be much quieter than traditional helicopters. The ducted fans and electric motors produce noise levels comparable to a household dishwasher (less than 60 dB), making the aircraft more community-friendly and reducing noise pollution.

The CEO-JET features a booster battery pack that is active for only 90 seconds per flight cycle and recharges during flight. This regenerative power system ensures the aircraft can maintain optimal performance without frequent battery replacements, enhancing its operational efficiency.

Distributed Propulsion System

 The Sirius CEO-JET features a distributed propulsion system with 28 ducted fans strategically placed across its wings and canard. Each fan is driven by its lightweight electric motor, incorporating a proprietary thermal management system for enhanced efficiency. This setup allows for:
  • More efficient thrust distribution and better aerodynamic control, improving overall performance and stability
  • Reduced noise levels, with the ducted fans and electric motors producing noise comparable to a household dishwasher (less than 60 dB), making the aircraft more community-friendly

Here are the key components of the system:

  • 28 Ducted Fans: The aircraft has 28 ducted fans strategically distributed across its wings and canard. This setup includes 20 fans embedded in the wings and 8 mounted in the canard.
  • Individual Electric Motors: Each fan is driven by a lightweight electric motor, which incorporates a proprietary thermal management system to enhance efficiency.
  • Thrust Distribution: The distributed propulsion system allows for more efficient thrust distribution and better aerodynamic control, improving the aircraft's overall performance and stability.
  • Noise Reduction: The ducted fans and electric motors are designed to produce noise levels comparable to a household dishwasher (less than 60 dB), making the aircraft more community-friendly and reducing noise pollution.

Competitors in Hydrogen Aviation

 Sirius Aviation faces competition from several companies working on various forms of zero-emission aircraft, with many focusing specifically on hydrogen propulsion technology. Here is a comparison table of the Sirius jets and some of their main competitors in the hydrogen-powered and electric aircraft market:

ZeroAvia

  • ZA600: Hydrogen-electric propulsion, 10-20 passengers, 300 NM (~345 miles) range, in development.
  • ZA2000: Hydrogen-electric propulsion, 40-80 passengers, 700 NM (~805 miles) range, in development.

H2 Clipper

  • Airship: Hydrogen-powered, designed for cargo (340,000 lbs), 6,000+ miles (9,656 km) range, 175 mph (281 km/h) speed, prototype planned for 2025.

H2FLY

  • HY4: Hydrogen-electric propulsion, 4 passengers, 932 miles (1,500 km) range, prototype flying.

Alaka'i Technologies

  • Skai: Hydrogen fuel cell, 5 passengers, 400 miles (643 km) range, prototype stage.

Lilium

  • Lilium Jet: Electric propulsion, 6 passengers + 1 pilot, 155 miles (250 km) range, 175 mph (281 km/h) speed, in development.

AMSL Aero

  • Vertiia: Hydrogen-powered, specifications not fully disclosed, in development.

Urban Aeronautics

  • CityHawk: Hydrogen-powered, 5 passengers, specifications not fully disclosed, in development.

Comparison Table

CompanyAircraft ModelPropulsion TypePassenger CapacityRangeSpeedStatus
Sirius Aviation CEO-JET Hydrogen-electric 3 1,150 miles (1,850 km) 320 mph (515 km/h) Prototype planned for 2025
Sirius Aviation Adventure Jet Hydrogen-electric 5 1,050 miles (1,850 km) 320 mph (515 km/h) Concept stage
ZeroAvia ZA600 Hydrogen-electric 10-20 300 NM (~345 miles) Not specified In development
ZeroAvia ZA2000 Hydrogen-electric 40-80 700 NM (~805 miles) Not specified In development
H2FLY HY4 Hydrogen-electric 4 932 miles (1,500 km) Not specified Prototype flying
H2 Clipper Airship Hydrogen Cargo (340,000 lbs) 6,000+ miles (9,656 km) 175 mph (281 km/h) Prototype planned for 2025
Alaka'i Technologies Skai Hydrogen fuel cell 5 400 miles (643 km) Not specified Prototype stage
Lilium Lilium Jet Electric 6 + 1 pilot 155 miles (250 km) 175 mph (281 km/h) In development
AMSL Aero Vertiia Hydrogen-powered Not specified Not specified Not specified In development
Urban Aeronautics CityHawk Hydrogen-powered 5 Not specified Not specified In development

 

The Sirius CEO-JET and Adventure Jet are notable for their 1,150-mile range and 320 mph cruising speed, making them competitive in the hydrogen-electric aircraft market. ZeroAvia focuses on larger passenger capacities, while H2 Clipper specializes in cargo transport with much longer ranges. Although the Lilium Jet is electric rather than hydrogen-powered, it competes in the same market with its eVTOL capabilities.

Future Innovations in Hydrogen Aviation

 Sirius Aviation and other companies are exploring future innovations to advance hydrogen-powered aircraft further. One key area of focus is the development of higher-temperature fuel cells, which can reduce the weight and complexity of hydrogen propulsion systems, thus improving payload capacity and range. 
Another important advancement will be the transition to liquid hydrogen as the primary fuel, which offers more than double the volumetric energy density compared to gaseous hydrogen, reducing the space required for fuel storage.
 
Researchers are also investigating the potential of on-site hydrogen production at airports, although space constraints may limit this option at certain locations. Modular hydrogen capsules, each capable of carrying around 200 kg of liquid hydrogen, are being developed as a flexible refueling solution that could be adapted to various aircraft sizes and operational needs.
 
Hydrogen propulsion technology is expected to become increasingly viable for commuter, regional, short-range, and medium-range aircraft over the next few decades. However, long-haul air travel will likely rely on sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels in the near term, with hydrogen also playing a crucial role in their production.
 

The competition in the zero-emission aircraft space is growing as the aviation industry seeks more sustainable solutions. The Sirius jets offer a compelling combination of range, speed, and luxury, positioning them well against other developing hydrogen-electric and electric aircraft. As these technologies evolve, the specifications and capabilities of these aircraft may change, further shaping the future of sustainable air travel.