An amended NASA budget for fiscal year 2020 would add $1.6 billion to a $21 billion initial budget request and fund deep space exploration, science, and technology initiatives. An acquisition approach to various projects would present significant opportunities for commercial partners and, likely, the entire aerospace supply chain.
A cowling, or engine cover, is a critical airframe component that reduces drag and directing airflow into the engine. For the E-8C JSTARS, an aircraft with four massive Pratt and Whitney JT3D-based TF33-102C turbofan engines, each set of engine cowling components can cost up to $80,000 per set. Even a slightly warped cowling renders the entire housing unsafe and unserviceable.
Lockheed Martin Corporation successfully completed development and testing for the heatshield that will protect NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mars 2020 rover during its descent to the Martian surface. After completing the flight hardware structure, Lockheed Martin tested the heatshield’s physical integrity by exposing it to ‘flight-like’ thermal conditions.
According to the presentation, the cargo variant of the Blue Moon lander can carry 3.6 metric tons to the lunar surface. Another lander variant could potentially stretch to be capable of carrying a 6.5-metric-ton, human-rated ascent stage.
UAV Turbines, Inc. has developed a new microturbine, turboprop engine designed for defense and commercial Group 3 and 4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or “drone” applications. UAV Turbines’ Monarch RP is designed to operate reliably, quietly, and powerfully on various qualities of heavy fuel and outperform conventional reciprocating engines.
Battery weight and power density is a major design consideration when it comes to electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. To reduce platform weight for next-generation electric vehicles, Atlanta-based Novelis, Inc. (Novelis) has used direct feedback from industry partners and automotive design engineers to develop the first aluminum sheet battery enclosure.
The partnership marks a major milestone for both companies – the purchase will dramatically increase BlackBird’s air transportation network while solidifying Bye Aerospace as a manufacturer of the world’s first all-electric aircraft that meets United States FAA FAR Part 23 airworthiness standards for normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter aircraft.
TIoTA, an open software consortium of over 50 members organized to support the creation of a secure, scalable, interoperable, and trusted IoT ecosystem, began the E-Mobility Challenge to link IoT devices with consumers and stakeholder companies such as operators and service, communication, and payment providers within the preexisting European electric vehicle ecosystem.
The solutions – which have already received nationwide approval from multiple UAM operators – provide scalable and secure end-to-end infrastructure and applications to help organizations and governments manage data and capitalize on the UAM economy.
According to Airbus, the CityAirbus UAM vehicle – or “air taxi” – will initially be operated by a pilot for certification and market entry purposes; however, the aircraft is designed for fully autonomous flight once regulations are established.