HYSKY Pod

HYSKY SOCIETY

The HYSKY Pod dives into the pioneers, technologies, and bold ideas shaping the future of hydrogen-powered aviation. Hosted by Danielle McLean, founder of HYSKY Society—a nonprofit accelerating zero-carbon flight—this show explores everything from liquid hydrogen, fuel cells, and cryogenic storage to drones, UAVs, helicopters, eVTOLs, fixed-wing aircraft, and the entire advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem. Each episode features deep, human conversations with leaders across aerospace, energy, climate tech, and AI. We cover hydrogen production, midstream logistics, propulsion systems, infrastructure, policy, supply chains, and the breakthrough innovations required to scale hydrogen aviation globally. Whether you're building next-generation aircraft, exploring hydrogen for drones or rotorcraft, developing AI-driven aerospace systems, or simply curious about the future of flight—this podcast is your front-row seat. If it flies and runs on hydrogen, we’re talking about it.

  1. 2d ago

    #15 HYSKY Pod: Val Miftakhov | Why I Stepped Down as ZeroAvia CEO

    See Val Miftakhov live at FlyingHY https://www.hysky.org/flying-hy Huge thanks to our sponsor, Unither Bioelectronics https://unither.aero/en/ What happens when one of hydrogen aviation's most influential pioneers steps down from the company he founded? In Episode #15 of HYSKY Pod, Danielle McLean sits down with Val Miftakhov, founder of ZeroAvia, to discuss his departure as CEO, the realities of certifying hydrogen aircraft, the impact of changing political landscapes on climate technology, and his next stealth AI energy venture. But this conversation quickly goes far beyond aviation. Val shares stories from his childhood in Siberia, the physics teacher who changed his life, his thoughts on AI, consciousness, digital immortality, mind uploading, the future of humanity, entrepreneurship, and why he believes the most transformative technologies of our lifetime are still ahead of us. This is one of the most philosophical, futuristic, and thought-provoking episodes of HYSKY Pod yet. Watch, subscribe, and join the conversation shaping the future of energy, aviation, AI, and humanity. KEY POINTS FOR QUICK NAVIGATION: 01:25 Welcome & ZeroAvia leadership transition 02:30 Why Val stepped down as CEO of ZeroAvia 04:22 Funding challenges, politics & the new administration 05:45 Val's stealth AI and energy startup revealed 09:08 Growing up in Belarus and Siberia 10:56 The physics teacher who changed his life forever 16:38 Digital immortality, mind uploading & living forever 20:13 Home labs, AI models & building local LLMs 38:14 God, consciousness & the origins of the universe 48:06 Favorite physicists, Oppenheimer & scientific leadership 58:32 Building startups, failures & creating new industries 01:02:08 Hydrogen aviation, certification & government regulation 01:10:34 The UK's Hydrogen Sandbox explained 01:11:02 The future of transportation & autonomous mobility 01:12:37 A future of abundance, AI & humanity's purpose TOPICS DISCUSSED * ZeroAvia * Hydrogen aviation * Sustainable aviation * Fuel cell aircraft * AI energy systems * Grid balancing * Digital immortality * Consciousness * Mind uploading * Artificial intelligence * Large language models * Entrepreneurship * Startup leadership * Physics * Future technology * Autonomous transportation * Climate technology * Aviation certification FOLLOW HYSKY Subscribe for conversations with the pioneers building the future of hydrogen, aviation, energy, AI, and advanced technology. #HYSKYPod #ZeroAvia #ValMiftakhov #HydrogenAviation #Hydrogen #FuelCells #SustainableAviation #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureTech #ClimateTech #EnergyTransition #Aviation #CleanEnergy #Podcast

    1h 14m
  2. May 21

    NASA Scientist Says Hydrogen Planes Will Change Aviation Forever

    ⚡ From NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to building hydrogen-electric aircraft, Dr. Anita Sengupta is redefining the future of aviation. As Founder & CEO of Hydroplane, she’s pioneering zero-emission hydrogen propulsion systems designed to make flying cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable. 🌍✈️ Hydrogen aviation could transform the skies with: ✅ Zero direct emissions ✅ Longer range than batteries ✅ Lower operating costs ✅ Cleaner and quieter flights The future of flight isn’t decades away — it’s already taking off. 🚀 Would you fly on a hydrogen-powered aircraft? 👀 #FutureOfFlight #HydrogenAviation #CleanAviation #HydrogenElectric #SustainableAviation #ZeroEmission #ElectricAircraft #Hydroplane #AerospaceInnovation #FutureTech #ClimateTech #GreenTechnology #NASA #WomenInAerospace #HydrogenFuel #Innovation #Aviation #ElectricFlight #NextGenAviation #FlyClean #HYSKY Key takeaways: * The challenges of decarbonizing aviation and the role of hydrogen. * How hydrogen fuel cells work and their advantages over traditional systems. * The potential for hydrogen in various aviation applications, from urban air mobility to humanitarian aid. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Background and career at NASA 02:01 Transition to green transportation 02:28 The need for hydrogen in aviation 05:22 The carbon footprint of aviation 06:12 Challenges in aviation decarbonization 08:08 The benefits of hydrogen electric propulsion 10:25 The future of hydrogen production 12:15 How hydrogen fuel cells work 13:28 Developing hydrogen technology for aviation 15:20 The team behind Hydroplane 17:51 Upcoming flight demonstrations 19:14 The future of decarbonized aviation What's your biggest challenge with sustainable aviation? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more insights on green technology and aviation innovations! #HydrogenAviation #SustainableTransport #GreenTechnology

    19 min
  3. May 19

    Why Hydrogen Aviation Will FAIL Without Systems Engineering | Jared Semik

    The conversation covers a community gathering, updates on hydrogen aviation, the mission and vision of HySky Society, an introduction to holistic systems engineering, principles and definitions, the philosophy of holism, energy nucleus and systems, energy storage mediums, a holistic engineering approach, mismatch of energy characteristics, patchwork and holistic engineering, solar, wind, and concentrated solar power, and electric aircraft and patchwork. The conversation delves into advanced propulsion systems, aerodynamic efficiency, EVTOLs, rethinking operational ranges, the concept of false summit, and holistic engineering in aerospace. The speaker discusses the integration of components, energy characteristics, and the importance of a holistic approach to design and manufacturing. Takeaways Holistic engineering is essential for optimizing energy systems.Understanding the unique characteristics of energy sources is crucial for system design and performance. Advanced propulsion systems enable increased power density and mass fraction bonus.Holistic engineering involves understanding the unique characteristics of energy and integrating components for maximum efficiency. Chapters 00:00 Community Gathering14:14 Introduction and Housekeeping19:26 Presentation Introduction25:26 Principles and Definitions30:31 Holistic Engineering Approach37:13 Patchwork and Holistic Engineering50:44 Electric Aircraft and Patchwork56:42 Aerodynamic Efficiency and EVTOLs

    1h 30m

About

The HYSKY Pod dives into the pioneers, technologies, and bold ideas shaping the future of hydrogen-powered aviation. Hosted by Danielle McLean, founder of HYSKY Society—a nonprofit accelerating zero-carbon flight—this show explores everything from liquid hydrogen, fuel cells, and cryogenic storage to drones, UAVs, helicopters, eVTOLs, fixed-wing aircraft, and the entire advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem. Each episode features deep, human conversations with leaders across aerospace, energy, climate tech, and AI. We cover hydrogen production, midstream logistics, propulsion systems, infrastructure, policy, supply chains, and the breakthrough innovations required to scale hydrogen aviation globally. Whether you're building next-generation aircraft, exploring hydrogen for drones or rotorcraft, developing AI-driven aerospace systems, or simply curious about the future of flight—this podcast is your front-row seat. If it flies and runs on hydrogen, we’re talking about it.