Could hydrogen be the key to plane travel?

Boeing makes progress on HALE aircraft

Could jetliners one day be powered by hydrogen? If so, the hydrogen sky-way could have a far bigger impact on global warming than the hydrogen highway.

Currently, Boeing is testing a hydrogen-powered airplane called HALE, or High Altitude Long Endurance. Obviously, this style of airplane doesn't have a lot of use for transportation, but its success might help put airplanes towards hydrogen.

"This test could help convince potential customers that hydrogen-powered aircraft are viable in the near-term. This is a substantial step toward providing the persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities our customers desire."

—George Muellner, President, Boeing Advanced Systems

(Source: GreenCarCongress)