Aerospace

easyJet and electric aircraft pioneer, Wright Electric, outline electric future of aviation

easyJet partners with U.S.-based Wright Electric to support their ambition to design and scale its electric commercial aircraft over the next decade
easyJet reveals prototype electric plane with a range of 540 km / 335 miles which would cover 20% of passenger journeys flown by easyJet

easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, today provided a glimpse of the future of aviation through its collaboration with electric aircraft manufacturer, Wright Electric. The airline has been working closely with Wright Electric over the course of 2017 to provide an airline operator’s perspective on the development of this exciting step forward in battery-propelled aircraft and this week the two companies showed what the new electric plane would look like.

Wright Electric is working towards producing a fully electric plane within a decade with a further ambitious goal for every short flight to be zero-emissions within 20 years. It is aiming for an aircraft range of 335 miles which would cover 20% of passengers flown by easyJet today.

Wright Electric has already demonstrated its first two seater plane, revealing how technology works on a smaller scale. Now, Wright Electric aims to prove the technology can be scaled to accommodate the needs of larger commercial aircraft. The battery in the two seater plane weighs approximately 600 lbs however when scaled up Wright Electric will utilize new energy storage chemistries that are substantially lighter than today’s commercial batteries.

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Comparison of two legendary aircraft B777x vs B747 aircraft:Click here

Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

NASA, Lockheed Martin Reveal X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft:Click here

The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.