ROLLS-ROYCE AND EASYJET TO PERFORM HYDROGEN TESTING AT NASA’S STENNIS SPACE CENTER

Rolls-Royce announced it has broken ground on a truly unique engine test site to perform outdoor, full-scale gas turbine hydrogen testing. This will be the third Rolls-Royce test stand at NASA Stennis, expanding a relationship with NASA that goes back decades and includes joint research on a variety of aerospace technologies.

This program is part of Rolls-Royce’s goal to develop technologies that meet the world’s growing demand for power while enabling net zero by 2050. The testing will demonstrate the integration of technologies required for 100% hydrogen fuel operation on a modified Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is providing engineering expertise to Rolls-Royce to achieve this milestone.

In addition to hydrogen research, Rolls-Royce continues to focus on other key elements of its technology strategy – specifically the enhancement of gas turbine engines; promoting and enabling the incorporation of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF); and other forms of power including increased electrification.

Hydrogen program
The testing scheduled for NASA Stennis represents the culmination of a comprehensive, global program set out to prove that hydrogen can safely and efficiently deliver power for aerospace engines.

Rolls-Royce also receives support for hydrogen research through the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute HyEST, RACHEL and LH2GT programs, Germany’s LUFO 6 WOTAN program, and the European Union’s Clean Aviation CAVENDISH program.

Together, Rolls-Royce and easyJet are committed to being at the forefront of the development of hydrogen combustion engine technology capable of powering a range of aircraft, including those in the narrowbody market segment, from the mid-2030s onwards.