Important Innovations

  X-57 Is Ready to Fly                                                  Source:  NASA NASA's Chases Zero Emissions Aviation NASA is placing a big bet on the future of flying that will be electric. Specifically, planes powered by battery powered electric engines that emit zero carbon emissions and provide greener and much quieter flights.  NASA's first electric plane, the X-57 Maxwell, is very close to flying.  NASA says it will begin test flights very soon. The vehicle has an electric propulsion system that makes flying cleaner, quieter and more sustainable.  The X-57 is a key component of NASA's X-planes series, which also includes a super-quiet, supersonic electric passenger jet, the X-59 QueSST, which is next in line for test flights after X-57 Maxwell. These two planes are targeted for commercial passenger service.  Tech Specs The X-57 is an Italian Tecnam P2006T that was converted to an electric plane by replacing its petroleum-based fuel Rotax engines with electric mo

X -57 Maxwell Is Set For Test Flights                                                  Source:  NASA NASA's Chases Zero Emissions Aviation NASA is placing a big bet on the future of flying that will be electric. Specifically, planes powered by battery powered electric engines that emit zero carbon emissions and provide greener and much quieter flights.  NASA's first electric plane, the X-57 Maxwell, is very close to flying.  NASA says it will begin test flights very soon. The vehicle has an electric propulsion system that makes flying cleaner, quieter and more sustainable.  The X-57 is a key component of NASA's X-planes series, which also includes a super-quiet, supersonic electric passenger jet, the X-59 QueSST, which is next in line for test flights after X-57 Maxwell. These two planes are targeted for commercial passenger service.  Tech Specs The X-57 is an Italian Tecnam P2006T that was converted to an electric plane by replacing its petroleum-based fuel Rotax engines w

  Test Flights for the X-57 Maxwell Start in June                                                                                     Source:  NASA NASA's Chases Zero Emissions Aviation A big part of the future of flying will be electric planes with zero emissions green flights, no inflight carbon emissions and much quieter aircraft.  This is a future that NASA is betting on.  NASA's electric, experimental X-plane, the X-57 Maxwell electric plane, will begin test flights in June. The vehicle has an electric propulsion system that makes flying cleaner, quieter and more sustainable.  The X-57 is a key component of NASA's X-planes series, which also includes a super-quiet, supersonic electric passenger jet, the X-59 QueSST, which is next in line for test flights after X-57 in NASA's fascinating X series of experimental aircraft for use on Earth not in space, yet. Tech Specs The X-57 is an Italian Tecnam P2006T that was converted to an electric plane by replacing its petrol

  New NASA e-Plane May Fly This Year                                                                                                Source:  NASA Green Skies with the X-57 Maxwell NASA is spearheading a major transformation of the airline industry to electric power.  NASA's experimental plane, the X-57 Maxwell, is powered solely by electricity.  Maxwell is a member of NASA's distinguished tradition of X Planes, which are experimental. NASA expects to fly it this year to prove that Maxwell's unique electric technology works.  NASA converted a gas powered Italian Tecnam P2006T into the electric powered Maxwell.  The e-plane is a two-seater.  First flight is expected in late summer 2022. Unique Aviation Technology According to NASA, the aircraft's unique electric propulsion system allows the aircraft designers to develop new functionalities and much greater efficiency for the new plane.  Maxwell has no fuel tanks.  It uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to power the el

  New NASA e-Plane May Fly This Year                                                        Source:  NASA Green Skies with the X-57 Maxwell NASA is spearheading a major transformation of the airline industry to electric power.  NASA's experimental plane, the X-57 Maxwell, is powered solely by electricity.  Maxwell is a member of NASA's distinguished tradition of X Planes, which are experimental. NASA expects to fly it this year to prove that Maxwell's unique electric technology works.  NASA converted a gas powered Italian Tecnam P2006T into the electric powered Maxwell.  The e-plane is a two-seater.  First flight is expected in late summer 2022. Unique Aviation Technology According to NASA, the aircraft's unique electric propulsion system allows the aircraft designers to develop new functionalities and much greater efficiency for the new plane.  Maxwell has no fuel tanks.  It uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to power the electric motors and propellers.  The vehic

The X Plane: X-57 Maxwell Source:  NASA image Experimental High Performance Plane  NASA has developed a fully electric  plane, the X-57 Maxwell.  It has twelve small motors and two cruise motors, all on its wings. The aircraft is experimental  but it's performance is outstanding.  NASA has optimized it for high performance cruising.  X-57 is powered by two 400 pound lithium-ion battery packs in the plane's cabin.  The battery packs contain 23 kilowatt hours of power.  This is NASA's first piloted X-Plane in 20 years. Cost Saving, Green Electric Flying The X-57 is a research platform for NASA to develop and optimize e-flying technology.  NASA says  the X-57 provides a 500% increase in high speed cruising  efficiency.  The propulsion system saves $165 per hour compared to a combusion engine.  And, it cuts the hourly operating cost of  energy from 45% to 9%. Test Flight The X-57 will undergo its