Sustainability and Environment

Sustainability and Environment

14 October 2026

European support for NLR research into cleaner aviation

At the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), we are working hard toward a cleaner future for aviation. Recently, new research projects were funded by the European Union; we will be participating in ten of them. Here are six questions on this topic for NLR’s chief technology officer, Martin Nagelsmit.

Sustainability and Environment

18 September 2026

Booklet: R&D More electric and hydrogen-electric powered aerospace

Hydrogen as a fuel is considered to be an important route towards future sustainable aviation. For aviation
applications, hydrogen presents several key advantages: it allows for the elimination of carbon emissions in
flight and along the entire life cycle. Its usage in fuel cells allows eliminating NOx and particles. When burnt
in a turbine engine, very low particle emissions can be expected, as well as reduced NOx emissions, provided that the combustion system is optimised. However, water vapour emissions need to be carefully managed.

Sustainability and Environment

26 August 2026

NLR hydrogen drone flies at airport: a first for Rotterdam The Hague Airport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport and research institute NLR, together with partners in the European TULIPS programme, carried out a drone flight powered by liquid hydrogen today. This marks the first demonstration in the Netherlands of a liquid hydrogen application at an operational airport.

31 July 2026

Liquid Hydrogen Dewar

NLR received its very first liquid hydrogen Dewar in 2021. It is a state-of-the-art liquid hydrogen storage system designed with safety and efficiency in mind.