The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is mostly known worldwide for its space exploration, and thanks to the iconic "Houston, we have a problem," almost everyone knows the location of its Johnson Space Center, established in 1961. However, perhaps less of an immediate association is what the agency is doing to help solve problems on this side of the atmosphere, such as researching decarbonization technologies for flights closer to earth.In fact, requests for funding to develop sustainable flight is the reason behind a 6.5% increase in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024. Specifically, NASA is looking for $995.8 million to fund aeronautics research. While several space exploration posts see a higher increase, the Sustainable Flight National Partnership program is the main reason for the requested bump for aeronautics.

Demonstrator technology to increase fuel efficiency by as much as 30%

The Sustainable Flight National Partnership program focuses on developing new sustainable aviation technologies. Earlier this year, NASA awarded $425 million over seven years to Boeing to collaborate on the agency’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project. This, according to NASA, seeks to "inform a potential new generation of green single-aisle airliners." Partners will contribute the remainder of the agreed funding for the SFD, estimated at about $725 million, a mechanism provided for in the new Funded Space Act agreement.

Bob Pearce, NASA associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, stated,

“NASA is working toward an ambitious goal of developing game-changing technologies to reduce aviation energy use and emissions over the coming decades toward an aviation community goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050."

The project NASA and Boeing will collaborate on is a full-scale Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) demonstrator aircraft. The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept involves an aircraft featuring extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, which would render the plane much more fuel-efficient, about 30%, compared to today's single-aisle jetliners. NASA believes that the technology used in the demonstrator will inform the development of the next-generation narrowbody aircraft.

Todd Citron, Boeing's chief technology officer, commented,

“We’re honored to continue our partnership with NASA and to demonstrate technology that significantly improves aerodynamic efficiency resulting in substantially lower fuel burn and emissions. (...) The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator builds on more than a decade of NASA, Boeing, and our industry partners’ investments to help achieve these objectives."

More money to Artemis, Mars samples, and STEM engagement

Of course, NASA gets plenty more funds to fulfill its overall mandate. The Biden administration has proposed $27.2 billion in total for the Agency's fiscal year of 2024. If approved by Congress, this would signify an increase of 7.1% compared to the fiscal year of 2023. Beyond the aeronautics research program, the budget would significantly increase funding for the Artemis lunar exploration program's Human Landing System, Mars sample return, Earth Science, and STEM Engagement.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commented on the proposal,

“President Biden's budget will help us explore new cosmic shores, continue to make strides in traveling to and working in space and on the Moon, increase the speed and safety of air travel with cutting-edge technologies, and help protect our planet and improve lives here on Earth."

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