Thursday, November 14, 2024 NASA awards Electra.aero a contract to develop next-gen sustainable aircraft, advancing eco-friendly technologies for commercial airliners by mid-century. NASA has granted Electra.
aero, Inc. a key contract to advance critical technologies and conceptualize new commercial aircraft designs aimed at transforming air travel by the mid-21st century. The project falls under NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative.
AACES is a part of NASA’s broader effort to lead the charge in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, aligning with the agency’s long-term commitment to sustainable aerospace innovations. Founded in 2020 by John Langford, Electra is on a mission to spearhead advancements in sustainable aviation. Langford, a pioneer in aerospace innovation, previously founded Aurora Flight Sciences, which was acquired by Boeing in 2017.
By 2021, Electra had successfully developed a 150-kW hybrid-electric propulsion system. Flight testing of this system began in 2023, using their two-passenger Ultra Short prototype aircraft. This prototype features cutting-edge aerodynamics and a unique hybrid-electric distributed propulsion system, allowing for ultra short takeoff and landing (USTOL) in just 150 feet.
Electra is currently advancing a nine-passenger version aimed at entering commercial service for passenger and cargo transport by the end of this decade, with over 2,000 orders from 52 airlines secured so fa.
