NASA is putting out the call for industry partners to help develop technologies needed to shape a new generation of lower-emission, single-aisle airliners. The US space agency is stumping up the cash for a partner to design, build, test, and fly a large-scale demonstrator with an advanced airframe configuration that NASA hopes will help contribute to the United States achieving net-zero carbon emissions from aviation by 2050.

NASA is keen to help reduce the environmental impact of commercial aircraft

NASA typically builds and launches spacecraft that, let's face it, have a large environmental footprint. But the space agency is also fully onboard the net-zero bandwagon and continually articulates net-zero as a key goal. NASA fully supports the White House's Aviation Climate Action Plan and is funding numerous aviation projects with an eye to reducing the industry's environmental impact.

NASA's technologies tend to be high-end. But like a lot of high-end things, the benefits and applications often filter down to the masses. Specialized tech and research out of NASA frequently has civil aviation applications. But this seems to be an instance where NASA is deliberately stepping away from space and specifically targeting aircraft that fly closer to earth.

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NASA's demonstrator project will target single-aisle aircraft as they account for the bulk of the global commercial aviation fleet. Photo: Airbus

The agency's Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project aims to reduce carbon emissions and ensure US competitiveness in a high-demand area of aircraft design – single-aisle commercial airliners. NASA is targeting technology for single-aisle aircraft, the workhorse of many airline fleets, which account for nearly half of worldwide aviation emissions. According to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the global aviation industry produced 915 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019.

"Since its creation, NASA has worked with industry to develop and implement innovative aeronautics technology and has shared it with the world," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Now, with this ambitious new project, we're again joining with US industry to usher in a new era of cutting-edge improvements that will make the global aviation industry cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable."

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NASA hopes to complete project testing by the late 2020s. Photo: Airbus

NASA plans to complete project testing by the late 2020s so any new green technologies can be validated and inform industry decisions about the next generation of single-aisle aircraft entering the market by the 2030s.

The goal is to design, build, test, and fly a large-scale demonstrator

NASA expects to select at least one industry partner in early 2023 for a Funded Space Act Agreement with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Such an agreement would provide funding and access to NASA facilities and expertise. The agreement would capitalize on private-industry knowledge and experience, with an awardee laying out a proposed technical plan and contributing significant funding to the project.

For this type of agreement, NASA would not procure an aircraft or any other hardware for its missions. NASA's goal is to mature new and innovative technologies and capabilities. The industry partner will design, build, test, and fly a large-scale demonstrator. At the same time, NASA will obtain ground and flight data that agency and industry teams can use to validate the airframe configuration and associated technologies.

"In the coming years, global air mobility will continue to grow at a steady pace, and single-aisle aircraft will continue to carry the majority of that passenger traffic," said Bob Pearce from NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. "Working with industry, NASA intends to seize this opportunity to meet our aggressive environmental goals while fostering continued global leadership of the US aviation industry."

What do you think about NASA's plans to work on a full-scale demonstrator aircraft? Let us know in the comments!