CIRA, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre, is a non-profit shareholding Consortium founded in July 1984 with the purpose of performing research in the fields of space and aeronautics. CIRA operates according to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) by implementing the PRORA (Italian Aerospace Research Program). The Centre, with headquarters and operational structures in Capua, Campania, has the biggest research facilities in the field of aerospace in Italy, with testing facilities that are unique in the world, and state-of-the-art laboratories used by industries and bodies from Italy and the rest of the world.

CIRA takes part in the main European and International research programmes, collaborates with top universities and aeronautical and space companies in Italy and other countries, and is also a strong attractor of talent and industrial investments.

Their activities in the area of hydrogen and fuel cell technology are related to the aviation sector. The main topics CIRA wants to address are: fuel cells for aviation use; regenerative hydrogen for electrical component cooling; aircraft combustion chamber for hydrogen aircraft; hydrogen tanks.