Trump's NASA Budget Proposal

06/06/2017

NASA logo The Trump administration is proposing a 19 billion dollar budget for NASA in fiscal year 2018 - a less than 1% decrease from 2017 - as part of the overall 1.1 trillion dollar draft budget. The 2018 budget eliminates NASA's Office of Education which is used for engaging and educating Americans in NASA's overall mission.

The budget focuses on deep space exploration rather than Earth centric research. NASA's acting administrator said in a statement "The FY2018 proposal is a positive budget overall for NASA".

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Industry News

Virtual noise assessment for passenger jet of the future

Instead of tubular commercial aircraft, other designs could be used in the future: Jets with a blended wing body would fly more efficiently and make less noise -- but how would the noise emissions from these new types of aircraft affect people?

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240125145959.htm

Major climate benefits with electric aircraft

Researchers have performed the world's first life cycle assessment (LCA) of an existing, two-seater, all-electric aircraft, with a direct comparison to an equivalent fossil fuel-powered one. According to the study, after just one quarter of the expected lifespan of the electric aircraft, the climate impact is lower than that of the fossil fuel-based aircraft, provided that green electricity is used. The downside, however, is increased mineral resource scarcity.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240123122145.htm

SkyDrive SD-05

SkyDrive SD-05 william.moore@…

The SD-05 “Flying Car” is an eVTOL multicopter being developed by SkyDrive Inc. A predecessor aircraft, the SD-03 has been successfully flight tested and the SD-05 awaits testing. Entry into service is planned for 2026 in both Japan and the U.S., with certification coming from the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the FAA. JCAB and the FAA have agreed to partner on eVTOL certification, with the SD-05 set to be certified under JCAB Airworthiness Inspection Manual (AIM) Part II (Revision 61). SkyDrive have approximately 250 non-firm orders of the SD-05.

Structure and Powertrain

The SD-05 seats two passengers and a pilot within the composite fuselage with large viewing windows developed by Toray Carbon Magic. A large frame reaches out across the top of the aircraft and mounted at various points across this are twelve independent units of electric motors and fans configured in a dome shape. The aircraft features skid style landing gear and an H-tail. The EPiC battery system is to be supplied by EP Systems.

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.

Specifications

Aircraft TypeeVTOL multicopter
SeatsPilot+2
MTOW1,100kg/2,400 lbs.
Length9.4m/31 ft.
Wingspan9.4m/31 ft.
Landing GearFixed skid landing gear.
Cruising Speed100kph/62 mph
Range5-10km
Endurance5-10 mins
Flight ControlsFly-by-wire
Takeoff & LandingVTOL
AutonomyPlanned

Avionics

The SD-05 will have a fly-by-wire flight control system and SkyDrive have plans to make the system autonomous in the future.

Channel
Commercial Aviation
Market Indicator Code
Commercial
Program Profile ID
471793

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4632411

Wisk Cora Generation 6

Wisk Cora Generation 6 shambo.pfaff@i…

The Cora Generation 6 is a tiltrotor eVTOL being developed by Wisk Aero LLC. Subscale Cora Generation 6 flight testing is underway. Across the five generations of aircraft leading to the Cora Generation 6, previously operated under the Kittyhawk and Zee.aero brand, more than 1,550 full-scale test flights have taken place. Entry into service is uncertain, but is planned for later than other, non-autonomous, competitors. Type certification being sought from the New Zealand CAA, with the goal to achieve equivalency with the FAA. Wisk currently have a very small number of non-firm orders of the Cora Generation 6.

Structure and Powertrain

The Cora seats four passengers inside the helicopter-like cabin with a panoramic viewing window. The aircraft has twelve lift fans with four blades each, mounted on booms adjacent to the fixed high wing, six fans to the front and six to the rear, the front six being tiltrotors and also providing propulsion. The aircraft has skid-style landing gear and a simple cross-shaped tail.

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.

Specifications

Aircraft TypeTiltrotor eVTOL
Seats4
Payload900lbs/408kg
Wingspan50ft/15.24m
Landing GearSkid landing gear
Cruising Altitude2,500 - 4,000ft
Cruising Speed138mph/222km/h
Range90 miles + reserves
Flight ControlsTriple-redundant fly-by-wire.
Takeoff & LandingAutonomous VTOL
AutonomyAutonomous
Collision AvoidanceConventional transponders including ADS-B, Mode-S, etc., and leveraging of radar and optical sensors to detect less-equipped aircraft and flying objects.
IFR CompliantYes
TransponderConventional transponders including ADS-B, Mode-S, etc.
ADS-BYes

Avionics

The Cora Generation 6 will have a fly-by-wire, triple redundant flight control system and SkyNaute™ inertial navigation systems supplied by Safran. The aircraft will operate autonomously with remote supervision by a human.

Market Indicator Code
Commercial
Program Profile ID
471792

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4625741

Volocopter VoloRegion

Volocopter VoloRegion shambo.pfaff@i…

The VoloRegion is a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL being developed by Volocopter GmbH. The first prototype flight test for the aircraft was conducted in 2022 and entry into service is planned for 2026, with certification to come from EASA under the SC-VTOL enhanced category. Volocopter have approximately 500 orders between all of their aircraft, a very small amount are firm orders.

Structure and Powertrain

The VoloRegion seats four passengers inside the carbon fiber composite fuselage with large viewing windows and retractable tricycle wheeled landing gear. The aircraft features a high wing configuration and an M-shaped tail, with two booms extending between the two on either side. Three lift fans are positioned along the length of each boom and two ducted propellers are mounted to the sides of the fuselage. The fans/propellers are each powered by their own electric motor and the aircraft has lithium-ion batteries with swapping capabilities.

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard. Other safety features include the ability for the aircraft to land conventionally when necessary.

Specifications

Aircraft TypeLift-plus-cruise eVTOL
Seats4
MTOWUnknown
Payload300-400kg/660-880 lbs.
Landing GearRetractable tricycle wheeled landing gear.
Cruising Speed180 kph/110 mph
Range100km/60 miles
Flight ControlsFly-by-wire
Takeoff & LandingVTOL
AutonomyAutonomous

Avionics

The aircraft is to feature a fly-by-wire avionics system with Diehl Aerospace and Thales to supply the primary and backup flight control computers under a joint venture. The VoloRegion is set to have autonomous capabilities.

Channel
Commercial Aviation
Market Indicator Code
Commercial
Program Profile ID
471790

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4625731

Volocopter VoloCity

Volocopter VoloCity shambo.pfaff@i…

The VoloCity is a multicopter eVTOL being developed by Volocopter GmbH. The aircraft has begun flight testing and has over 1000 hours logged. Entry into service is expected in 2024/25 and the aircraft is to be certified by EASA and the FAA under the SC-VTOL enhanced category, and part 21.17b, respectively. Volocopter have approximately 500 orders between all of their aircraft, a very small amount are firm orders.

Structure and Powertrain

The aircraft seats a passenger and a pilot within the pod-like composite fuselage with large viewing windows and skid-style landing gear. Stretching above the cabin is a circular frame with 18 lift fans spread across it, each powered by their own brushless DC electric motor. The aircraft has nine lithium-ion exchangeable, rechargeable batteries. Crouzet are to supply circuit breaker, control stick and rescue box, and Autoflug GmbH & Co. are to supply the seating.

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.

Specifications

Aircraft TypeMulticopter eVTOL
SeatsPilot + 1
MTOW900kg/1984 lbs.
Payload200kg/441 lbs.
Length11.3m/37 ft.
WingspanNot Applicable, rotor rim including rotors - 11.3m/37 ft.
Landing GearSkid landing gear
Cruising Speed109 kph/ 68 mph
Range22 miles
Endurance30 min
Flight ControlsFly-by-light
Takeoff & LandingVTOL
AutonomyPlanned for future.

Avionics

Volocopter have opted for a fly-by-light optical avionics communications system to be developed in a joint venture between Diehl Aerospace and Thales, they will also supply a backup flight control system. Autonomy is planned for the future.

Market Indicator Code
Commercial
Program Profile ID
471789

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4625726

Vertical Aerospace VX4

Vertical Aerospace VX4 shambo.pfaff@i…

The VX4 is a tiltrotor eVTOL being developed by Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd. Tethered test flights began in 2022 and the first full flight test was conducted in July 2023. Entry into service is planned for 2027 with certification expected to be granted by the CAA and EASA under SC-VTOL enhanced category. Vertical have approximately 1500 orders of the VX4, including a small amount of firm orders.

Structure and Powertrain

The VX4 seats four passengers and a pilot inside the Solvay-supplied carbon composite airframe with large viewing windows. The aircraft features a high wing and a V-tail, with four tilting rotors mounted on the leading edge of the wing, and four stowable lift fans to the rear, all powered by a Rolls Royce all-electric powertrain and Molicel batteries. The VX4 has retractable tricycle wheeled landing gear. GKN are developing the electrical wiring interconnection systems and Hanwha Systems are to provide the tilt and pitch system.

Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.

Specifications

Aircraft TypeTiltrotor eVTOL
Seats4 + pilot
MTOWUnknown
Payload450kg/992 lbs.
Length13m/43 ft.
Wingspan15m/49 ft.
Landing GearRetractable tricycle wheeled landing gear.
Cruising Speed241kph/150 mph
Max 322kph/200 mph
Range161+kph/100+ miles
Flight ControlsFly-by-wire
Takeoff & LandingVTOL/STOL/CTOL
AutonomyNo

Avionics

The VX4 is to feature a fly-by-wire flight control system with Honeywell developing the aircraft control system, flight deck technologies and pilot user interface. No autonomy is planned for the aircraft.

Channel
Commercial Aviation
Market Indicator Code
Commercial
Program Profile ID
471787

Source: https://aviationweek.com/node/4625721

Commitments needed to solve aviation's impact on our climate

Researchers could find no simple solution to limiting non-CO2 emissions from aircraft.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231128132415.htm

Engineers are on a failure-finding mission

Engineers developed a technique to quickly identify a range of potential failures in a system before they are deployed in the real world.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231109121552.htm

Sustainable energy for aviation: What are our options?

Scientists and industry leaders worldwide are looking for answers on how to make aviation sustainable by 2050 and choosing a viable sustainable fuel is a major sticking point. Aerospace engineers took a full inventory of the options to make a data-driven assessment about how they stack up in comparison. He reviewed over 300 research projects from across different sectors, not just aerospace, to synthesize the ideas and draw conclusions to help direct the dialogue about sustainable aviation toward a permanent solution.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230920152340.htm