Informatic Blog

Advanced spacecraft are the key to national security, transportation, mobility, freedom and our quality of life. The answer is to ensure the viability of aviation is not a result of evolutionary or short-term approaches alone, but through careful development of the revolutionary, long-term approaches using new technologies. The most important advances in biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technology are opening the door to a new era in the development of aircraft design will look completely different than today's airplanes.

Aircraft of the future will not be built on traditional, multiple, mechanically connected parts and systems. Instead, aircraft wing construction will employ fully integrated, embedded "intelligent" materials and actuators, the wings with unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency and aircraft allows to control.

Able to respond to the constantly changing conditions of flight sensors such as the "nerve" to act in a bird's wings and will measure the pressure over the entire surface of the wing. The answer to this data direct actuators, which function like a bird's wings "muscles". Just as a bird instinctively uses different feathers on its wings to control its flight, the actuators, the shape of the aircraft, the wings are continually optimize flying conditions. Active flow control effectors will help mitigate adverse aircraft motions in turbulent air conditions are encountered.

Intelligent systems of these sensors, actuators, microprocessors and adaptive control composed, an effective "central nervous system" for the stimulation of the structure of an adaptive effect is "physical reaction." The central nervous system will offer many advantages over current technologies. Proposed 21st Century Aerospace Vehicles will be able to use their own power, environmental, and even to monitor the operators to improve safety and fuel efficiency and minimize noise cell. They will also provide systems that allow for safe takeoffs and landings from short airfields access to this country more than 5,400 rural / regional airports.

Researchers at NASA Langley Research Center to take the lead in order to explore this advanced vehicle concepts and revolutionary new technologies. New analysis methods are formulated to model and predict the best locations for sensors and actuators. Collaborations with industry and other agencies is the key to the project. Specific technology disciplines include soil-flight scaling, reliability-based design, adaptive flow control, robust control and autonomic functions of the vehicle.

21st Century Aerospace Vehicle Advantages and Benefits Summary

    Reduced noise
    Increased Fuel Efficiency
    Improved handling
    Increased passenger and aircraft handling security
    Better maneuverability
    Lower landing speed

Adaptable to Shorter take-off and landing strips
Extensive versatility