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Certification Roadmap to Yield an Optimal and Safety methodology of crashworthiness for an integrated cryogenic Tank for liquid hydrogen storAge on board of future aiRcraft

Objective

Hydrogen is emerging as one of the most promising energy carriers for decarbonizing aviation, offering significant long-term potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, its implementation faces considerable technical and safety hurdles, particularly in relation to onboard storage and distribution. Hydrogen’s low volumetric energy density, even when stored as cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2), implies a need for tanks that are approximately four times larger than those used for conventional aviation fuels. This directly affects aircraft architecture, aerodynamic efficiency, and payload capability. Additionally, LH2 must be maintained at extremely low temperatures—around -253°C—which requires complex, highly insulated, and costly cryogenic tank systems. Hydrogen’s flammability and its capacity to permeate materials that are otherwise impermeable to conventional gases introduce further safety risks and demand stringent engineering countermeasures.
The CRYOSTAR project confronts these challenges through the development of a pioneering crash certification methodology for cryogenic hydrogen tanks integrated into the tail section of CS-25 class aircraft. The project’s objective is to engineer, validate, and certify advanced attachment and restraint systems capable of absorbing crash loads while ensuring structural integrity and fuel containment. A comprehensive methodology—combining numerical modeling, physical testing, and credibility assurance frameworks—will support regulatory compliance while reducing development and certification costs. The project aims to define a future certification reference in collaboration with aviation regulators such as EASA, FAA, CAA.
CRYOSTAR will achieve Certification Readiness Level (CRL) 5, targeting CRL 6 with flight validation, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 via full-scale drop tests on equipped fuselage sections, thus laying the foundation for safe and certifiable hydrogen-powered aviation.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-Clean-Aviation-2025-01F

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELLA CAMPANIA LUIGI VANVITELLI
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 336 312,50
Address
VIALE ABRAMO LINCOLN 5
81100 Caserta
Italy

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Region
Sud Campania Caserta
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 336 312,50

Participants (11)

Partners (3)

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