NASA is committed to developing the next generation of low-emission commercial aircraft that will deliver a more efficient and environmentally friendly way to travel. NASA is committed to developing the next generation of low-emission commercial aircraft that will deliver a more efficient and sustainable way to travel.

The space agency has launched five new design studies as part of its Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative. According to NASA’s statement, organizations contributing to new aircraft design concepts include Boeing Aurora Flight Sciences, Electra Aerospace and the Georgia Institute of Technology. , aviation startup JetZero and Pratt & Whitney.

“Through initiatives like AACES, NASA can leverage a broad set of possibilities to further increase aircraft efficiency, reduce aviation’s environmental impact, and enhance U.S. technological competitiveness in the 2040s, 2050s, and beyond,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Bob Pierce. Message from the Aeronautical Research Mission Office.

The total amount of awards awarded to support five NASA-funded studies is $11.5 million. Each organization brings unique expertise to the development of next-generation aircraft concepts, from alternative fuel sources to propulsion technology and vehicle aerodynamic design.

“As a leader in sustainable aviation research and development in the United States, these awards are an example of how we bring together the best ideas and most innovative concepts from the private sector, academia, research agencies and other stakeholders to shape the future of aviation.” – Pierce said in the statement. says.

The Aurora Flight Sciences research area will examine alternative aviation fuels, power plants, aerodynamic technologies and aircraft configurations. The team, led by Electra, will study electric propulsion as well as the unique aerodynamic properties of the aircraft’s fuselage and wings to help reduce emissions and noise.

Georgia Institute of Technology researchers will focus on sustainable technologies including alternative fuels, power plants and aircraft configurations; JetZero will investigate technologies that allow the use of cryogenic liquid hydrogen as a fuel source to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pratt & Whitney’s scope of research will include aircraft propulsion technologies focused on improving thermal and propulsion efficiency to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

“The selected proposals come from a variety of organizations that will enable an exciting and wide-ranging exploration of aircraft scenarios, technologies and concepts that will advance aviation toward transformative sustainability goals,” said Nateri Madawan, Director of NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Program. The statement stated that it belongs to AACES.

Aircraft design concepts developed through AACES could enter service within the next 25 years. NASA is helping support the U.S. goal of zero aviation emissions by 2050 by making aircraft less reliant on traditional fuel sources that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.