Rocket Science

The Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands is the oldest and largest technical university of the Netherlands. It is particularly well-known for its Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, one of the few faculties in Europe to specialise entirely on aeronautical and astronautical engineering, in other words the construction of aircraft and spacecraft. The university tries to teach and motivate students by offering them possibilities to participate in practical research projects. An example are solar-powered vehicles that have regularly won prices at the World Solar Challenge in Australia. 

Phoenix prototype

In Aerospace Engineering, students are currently working on Project Phoenix, the world's first liquid hydrogen fuel cell aircraft. The idea is to develop the first emission-free aircraft. 

Jakob Schoser is second year student in aerospace engineering at TU Delft and part of the so-called 'dream team' of 40 students currently working on the prototype of this aircraft. He is in the electronics & control sub-team responsible for IT. The prototype is supposed to cover a range of 500 km and to fly for up to seven hours. The maiden flight is scheduled to take place still this year  to demonstrate that sustainable air transport is possible!