Friday 1 July 2022

NASA seeks partners to develop technologies for lower-emission airplanes

NASA is seeking partners to develop technologies for a new generation of lower-emission, single-aisle airliners.

It plans to fund one or more projects to design, built, test and fly a large-scale demonstrator with an advanced airframe configuration, as well as related technologies through its Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) programme.

SFD aims to reduce carbon emissions from aviation, targeting technology for single-aisle aircrafts, which account for nearly half of global aviation emissions.

NASA intends to complete project testing by the late 2020s so any new green technologies can be validated and inform industry about the next-generation of single-aisle aircrafts entering the market by the 2030s.

It expects to select at least one industry partner in early 2023 for a Funded Space Act Agreement with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, providing funding and access to NASA's facilities and expertise.

The SDF programme will support the US in achieving net zero carbon emissions from aviation by 2050.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said: “Since its creation, NASA has worked with industry to develop and implement innovative aeronautics technology — and has shared with the world.

“Now, with this ambitious new project, we’re again joining with US industry to usher in a new era of cutting-edge improvements that will make the global aviation industry cleaner, quieter and more sustainable.”