Animation of NASA’s concept aircraft, STARC-ABL, which utilizes advanced propulsion technologies to decrease fuel usage, emissions and noise.The Single-aisle Turboelectric Aircraft with an Aft Boundary-Layer propulsor or “STARC-ABL” is an aircraft design developed by NASA in 2017.
source/image(PrtSc): NASA Glenn Research Center
The design places the engine in the back of the aircraft, and is specifically designed to be more fuel efficient than aircraft designs of the past.An aviation renaissance, one focused on energy efficiency and economic impact, is on the horizon, and it’s changing how engineers look at aircraft power and design.
Although the aircraft industry continues to adopt innovative technologies, which are making current aircraft more energy efficient, there’s new interest in exploring alternative propulsion systems and energy sources. This new interest presents an opportunity to develop cutting-edge technologies that will dramatically reduce fuel usage, while opening up potential new markets and business opportunities for American companies and carriers.
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To provide better efficiency with less noise and fewer emissions, NASA is working with the aviation industry and academia to develop unique vehicle concepts that will use different fuselage shapes; longer, skinnier and more blended wings; innovative materials and components; and highly-integrated propulsion (engine) systems.
