PREVIEW

Sirius Aviation, a Swiss aviation startup, has revealed plans for the first hydrogen-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft - ones that could grace the skies as soon as 2025.
They unveiled it with its revolutionary propulsion system at Switzerland's Payerne Airport on Wednesday (17January2024), and the company is planning to create two models of zero-emission jets slated for a maiden flight next year.
Crafted in collaboration with BMW's Designworks and the Sauber Group, these aircraft will be propelled by an innovative hydrogen-electric propulsion system, promising a quiet and carbon-free travel experience.
The Sirius Business Jet caters to private aviation enthusiasts, accommodating up to three passengers. It has a cruising range of 1,150 miles, speeds reaching 323 mph, and an altitude capability of 30,000 feet. Notably, it ensures ultra-low noise levels, measuring just 60 decibels.
The Sirius Millennium is designed for commercial use, capable of carrying up to five passengers. Sharing similar performance characteristics with the business jet, it exhibits a slightly reduced range of 650 miles due to the additional seating, yet still suitable for regional flights. Additionally, the jets will employ a deflected vectored thrust system, featuring 20 electric ducted fans that allow its vertical take-off.
Details regarding the specific design of the Sirius fleet are limited. But the startup has released remarkable-looking images of the two planes.
They say the aircraft is, “designed to blend the aerodynamics of a jet with the versatility of airplanes and helicopters.”
The Sirius jets may establish a new industry benchmark in terms of flight distance and speeds. For comparison, the Joby S4, the fastest known electric VTOL in development, attains a top speed of 205 mph and a 150-mile range. In the VTOL category, Horizon Aircraft's hybrid Cavorite X5 is anticipated to achieve a maximum speed of 280 mph and a range of around 500 miles.
The Sirius aircraft is the first hybrid VTOL utilising hydrogen instead of conventional jet fuel or batteries. Hydrogen's superior energy density is three times that of traditional jet fuel and over a hundred times that of lithium-ion batteries.