Platform Technology

NLR micro-pump: from idea to product
Space Technology

11 February 2022

R&D case: Cubesat thermal modelling

CubeSat thermal modelling – Applying ESATAN-TMS for the cubesat industry The challenge With the increase in power density, thermal control measures are needed for CubeSats. This requires low-cost hardware and software solutions, which are currently hardly available. Miniaturisation and application of thermal control systems is being worked on, however evaluating design iterations is hindered by […]
Platform Technology

31 August 2021

R&D case: Integrated antennas for aerostructures (ACASIAS)

Advanced Concepts for Aero-Structures with Integrated Antennas and Sensors (ACASIAS). The European ACASIAS project will be reducing the energy consumption of aeroplanes in the future by improving their aerodynamic performance. NLR, together with Fokker Aerostructures, is investigating smarter ways of using parts of the fuselage by adding functions to them, such as building in a […]
Defence and Security

25 January 2021

The Netherlands launches its first military nanosatellite

According to the current planning, Virgin Orbit will launch the first Dutch military nanosatellite to orbit with its upcoming launch mid-March. This satellite is an experimental project which has been set up in a unique collaboration in commission of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). With this launch the Dutch Ministry of Defense (MoD) takes […]
Construction and Manufacturing

07 December 2020

Multifunctional structures for more sustainable aircraft with integrated antennas (ACASIAS)

The aviation industry needs more sustainable aircraft: the CO2 and NOx emissions of international air traffic must be reduced. This requires innovative technologies that reduce aircraft fuel consumption. The Horizon2020 ACASIAS project has taken up this challenge by improving aerodynamic performance and by facilitating the introduction of fuel-efficient engines such as Counter-Rotating Open Rotors, which […]
Platform Technology

15 June 2020

Antenna integration in a carbon fibre fuselage panel (ACASIAS)

For internet access and live television on board aircraft steerables are needed to enable communication with satellites. Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and partners in the EC Horizon2020 ACASIAS project have developed a novel composite fuselage panel that can be used for the conformal and full integration of electronically steerable phased array antennas. The fuselage […]
NLR hydrogen drone HYDRA on the runway of the Dronecentre
Sustainability and Environment

08 June 2020

Flying on hydrogen, first drone test flight on batteries (HYDRA II)

Less emission, longer endurance or heavier payloads. That’s why NLR invests in the development of hydrogen powered drones. HYDRA II is a VTOL drone with the goal of flying on hydrogen for 2 hours. At this moment we perform the first flight tests on batteries at NLR Drone Centre. Later this year this aircraft will […]
Sustainability and Environment

20 November 2019

Flying on hydrogen, towards zero-emission flight

First flight of Royal NLR’s hydrogen drone: HYDRA. Less emission, longer endurance or heavier payloads. That’s why NLR invests in the development of hydrogen powered drones. One of the main challenges of this activity is to adhere to our safety requirements. To this end NLR drafted an Explosion Safety Report, covering extensive safety analyses. This […]
First flight NLR hydrogen drone at NLR Drone Centre Marknesse
Sustainability and Environment

20 September 2019

Hydrogen-powered drone above The Netherlands

It has not previously been done in Dutch airspace: NLR is flying a hydrogen-powered drone (HYDRA). This is a step towards sustainable aviation. Additionally, market parties will be able to follow these footsteps quickly and fly hydrogen-powered drones safely in the Netherlands. At the testing centre in Marknesse, the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) has […]