NASA launches its first electric aircraft
This page is translated from the original post "La NASA lance son premier avion électrique" in French.
- 07/02/2023 15:00
NASA is actively working on the first flight of its 100% electric aircraft, the X-57 Maxwell, which benefits from the agency’s extensive expertise.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA for short) is the American agency responsible for the space program, which includes launching satellites around Earth, manned missions to the Moon, and scientific explorations, including Mars.
This is not about space travel, at least not yet. NASA has other activities, such as developing a small fully electric aircraft called the X-57 Maxwell.
Derived from an existing model, the Italian Texnam P2006T, the NASA X-57 Maxwell is still considered an experimental aircraft aiming to convince aviation professionals and the general public that an electric plane “can be more efficient, quieter, and more environmentally friendly than traditional piston-powered aircraft.
Technically, this X-57 is equipped with a 460-volt battery that powers 14 motors and propellers. Quite impressive! Compared to its Italian counterpart, it features a reduced wing size, at 42% of the original, to significantly decrease drag. The estimated range is about 160 km, with a flight time of around one hour. The X-57 is thus intended for short trips, particularly to connect areas with limited transportation options.
Extreme Condition Testing
The cruise motor controllers also convert energy stored in the aircraft’s lithium-ion batteries into electricity that powers its motors, which in turn drive the propellers. These controllers are equipped with silicon carbide transistors allowing an efficiency of 98%, whether the aircraft is taking off or flying steadily.
Recent tests conducted at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, USA, subjected the NASA X-57 Maxwell to temperatures from -23°C to +63°C, pending real-world flight conditions.
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read
