Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Sirius Aviation has revealed the&nbsp;design for its Sirius Jet, a hydrogen-electric VTOL aircraft it describes as a 'business jet.' The company intends to have the aircraft certified and in service by 2028&nbsp;and will offer two variants, one tailored for private use and the other for commercial air taxi services.&nbsp;
The private-use Sirius Business Jet will accommodate one pilot and up to three passengers and have&nbsp;an anticipated flight range of 1,150 miles (1,850 kilometers), whereas the larger Sirius Millennium Jet seats up to five passengers and can fly just over half that distance, with a range of 650 miles (1,050 kilometers). Both versions should be able to fly at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet at a cruise speed of 323 mph (520 kph). Refueling the aircraft, which involves pumping the hydrogen&nbsp;fuel cells full of hydrogen gas, will likely cost around $500, according to Sirius.
The Sirius Jet’s propulsion system uses hydrogen fuel cells to power 28 electric ducted fans, 20 of which are mounted to the aircraft’s main wing while eight are in the canard. This ducted-fan concept is somewhat reminiscent of the battery-electric <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/video/how-new-evtol-aircraft-lilium-jet-could-be-part-your-future-green-travel-plans">Lilium Jet</a>, although Sirius has incorporated a distinctive V-shaped tail whereas Lilium opted to mount the wing at the rear of the fuselage. Sirius designed the two Sirius Jet aircraft in collaboration with BMW’s Designworks innovation studio and motorsport company Sauber Group.&nbsp;
Sirius says its aircraft will be very quiet, generating less than 60 decibels of noise at a distance of 100 meters (328 feet). It says that’s about as loud as a typical dishwashing machine and&nbsp;quiet enough to enable operations in populated areas where noise pollution is a concern.&nbsp;
The company plans to unveil its proprietary hydrogen-electric propulsion system during a media briefing at Payerne Airport in Switzerland on January 17, and attendees will have the opportunity to see the system in action with what the company says will be its “first public inaugural ignition.”

Hanneke Weitering

The three-passenger Sirius Business Jet (left) is expected to be able to fly up to 1,150 miles before refueling, while the five-seat Sirius Millennium Jet (right) has a range of 650 miles. (Image: Sirius Aviation AG)

Swiss Start-up Sirius Unveils Hydrogen-powered VTOL 'Business Jet'

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