Air travel is going green as NASA has been experimenting with an all-electric plane.
The NASA X-57 Maxwell Plane, dubbed the X-Plane is an experimental all-electric aircraft that uses lithium iron battery packs, in place of the commonly used fuel-powered turbine engines.
Some are describing the aircraft humorously as a Tesla with wings.
NASA’s Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project Manager, Brent Cobleigh, said X-Plane is a glimpse into the future.
He is quoted saying, “To see the era of the Jetsons be something that’s potentially real is pretty exciting.”
NASA’s X-Plane is in its Modification II configuration. This is one of three all-electric configurations being used to develop certification standards for electric aircraft markets.
Each of the battery packs used in the plane weighs about 23 Kilogrammes. The plane requires 15 such batteries to function.
Cobleigh said, “That battery can put in about the amount of power you need to power 100 average American houses.”
Other features on the plane include 14 electric motors and propellers which ensure zero in-flight carbon emissions.
The electric components used in the aircraft also result in a much quieter experience than its fuel-powered predecessor.
NASA has also shown off a newly built simulator which enables pilots and engineers to get a sense of what it might be like to fly the X-57.
NASA will begin air testing the X-Plane in early 2020, when it will be shared with the US government and the aviation industry.
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