Hypersonix chooses green hydrogen to fly to space

Australia is poised to become a leading provider of green hydrogen, produced by using renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hypersonix has teamed with BOC for the supply of green hydrogen fuel for its reusable Spartan scramjet engines, which can take small satellite payloads to lower earth orbit (LEO).

“We’re very pleased to have found a strong clean hydrogen partner in BOC,” said Hypersonix CEO and co-founder David Waterhouse. “We both share a desire to bring the principles of the Green Space to the small satellite launch market, and this is something that sets us apart. We are determined to go to space, but in a way that is sustainable for our planet by design.”

Hypersonix secured an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources last year, for the design and build of a re-usable satellite launch vehicle scramjet engine powered by hydrogen.

“Our deep-tech solution will ensure that our precious oceans do not become dumping grounds for single use rockets and boosters, and that our Spartan scramjet engines do not add further CO2 or methane emissions to the atmosphere,” said Michael Smart, co-founder and head of research and development at Hypersonix.

Waterhouse added: “Hydrogen is our fuel of choice because of its proven versatility and performance compared to fossil fuels. Its environmental credentials are hard to beat, with the only emission being water vapour.”

BOC has secured funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for the development of a renewable hydrogen production and refuelling pilot project in Bulwer Island, Queensland.

Chris Dolman, Business Development Manager – Clean Hydrogen at BOC, said: “Both the automotive and the aviation sectors are well along the path to making the use of hydrogen fuel as a clean fuel option for day-to-day use. BOC is set to produce green hydrogen for both local and in export use.”