NASA Funds US$11.5 Million for Research on Sustainable Aircraft

NASA has awarded US$11.5 million to fund five research studies aimed at developing sustainable aircraft technologies for commercial aviation by 2050. These studies are part of NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative, which seeks to explore innovative designs, alternative fuels, and new propulsion systems to enhance aviation's environmental and operational efficiency. The funding has been allocated to Aurora Flight Sciences, Electra, Georgia Institute of Technology, JetZero, and Pratt & Whitney, with each tasked with investigating unique solutions for sustainable aviation.

"Through initiatives like AACES, NASA is positioned to harness a broad set of perspectives about how to further increase aircraft efficiency, reduce aviation's environmental impact, and enhance US technological competitiveness in the 2040s, 2050s, and beyond," said Bob Pearce, Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA.

Aurora, a Boeing subsidiary, will conduct a comprehensive exploration of advanced aviation technologies, including alternative fuels, novel propulsion systems, and aerodynamic configurations. Their study will also assess emerging technology areas to identify impactful solutions.

Electra plans to expand its work in distributed electric propulsion and innovative aerodynamic designs. Their focus includes integrating advanced wing and fuselage configurations aimed at reducing noise and emissions while enhancing air travel accessibility. Their current small aircraft prototype, which showcases these technologies, has been operational for over a year.

Researchers at Georgia Tech will analyze various sustainability technologies, such as hydrogen-powered systems and new aircraft designs. Their Advanced Technology Hydrogen Electric Novel Aircraft (ATH2ENA) will serve as a baseline for exploring these advancements.

JetZero will investigate the feasibility of using cryogenic liquid hydrogen as an aviation fuel to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their study will also evaluate the integration of hydrogen fuel systems into traditional tube-and-wing designs and their proprietary blended wing body concept.

Aerospace company Pratt & Whitney will focus on advancements in propulsion technologies, aiming to improve thermal and propulsive efficiency. These developments are designed to decrease fuel consumption and emissions, helping the industry move closer to achieving net-zero emissions goals.

The initiative builds on previous efforts, such as the Sustainable Flight National Partnership (SFNP), which targets technologies ready for adoption by the 2030s. 

"The proposals selected come from a diverse set of organizations that will provide wide-ranging explorations of technologies and concepts," said Nateri Madavan, Director of Advanced Air Vehicles Program, NASA.