Aerospace

GE Highlights Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Testing 10 Different Engines

After completing testing on its tenth engine model running exclusively on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) since 2016, GE Aerospace achieved a significant milestone towards a more sustainable future of flight.

This confirms that the company and its joint ventures have one of the industry’s largest programmes for testing alternative fuels.

Additional engines include F414, GE9X, LEAP-1A, Passport, GEnx, HF120*, and CFM56 engines that were tested at the component, engine, or aircraft level using 100% SAF. The extensive battery of tests covers a variety of propulsion systems utilized in business and general aviation, military aviation, and domestic and international commercial aviation.

Numerous other variables were also assessed in these tests, including engine performance and the effect of 100% SAF on emissions and contrails. Approximately three-quarters of all commercial flights worldwide are powered by GE Aerospace and its joint ventures.

GE Aerospace is moving from engine system testing to engine component and sub-component level evaluations to aid in the qualification of new 100% SAFs. This includes assessing all parts affected and exposed to fuels, ranging from the fuel system of the engine to the combustor, which burns the fuel. Tests are being conducted on different types of SAF produced from different pathways to determine if there is any effect on engine operability, efficiency, durability, and emissions.

Additionally, GE Aerospace is an inaugural investor in the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund to help increase the supply of SAF.

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.