Pioneering Cleaner Aviation Fuels…
Launching a scientific balloon initiative in Antarctica…
And progressing with a vital test for NASA’s Artemis Lunar Rocket…
These are among the highlights we’re covering – This Week at NASA!
Investigating Sustainable Aviation Fuel Impact
In a collaborative effort, NASA and Boeing have embarked on a contrail study project. Utilizing NASA’s DC-8 airborne laboratory, the team monitored emissions and contrail ice crystallization from Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator. The test alternated between 100% sustainable aviation fuel and a conventional jet fuel variant with low sulfur content.
The findings will contribute to understanding if sustainable aviation fuels can effectively minimize contrail formation, which potentially retains heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
Preparation of a Scientific Balloon for Launch at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Courtesy of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
NASA’s Scientific Balloons Set for Antarctic Expeditions
Scheduled during NASA’s annual Antarctic Long Duration Balloon Campaign, the scientific balloon flights include the GUSTO mission. This Astrophysics mission seeks a record-breaking 55-plus day flight above the Southern Hemisphere.
It will survey a significant portion of the Milky Way, including the galactic core and the neighboring Large Magellanic Cloud. Further details on NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program can be found at nasa.gov/scientificballoons.
NASA Marks a Milestone in RS-25 Engine Certification Test with a 650-second Hot Fire on November 29, Photo by Danny Nowlin, NASA
Progression in NASA’s RS-25 Engine Certification Test Series
On November 29, the Stennis Space Center of NASA executed a hot fire test on an RS-25 engine. The engine underwent gimballing, or rotating around a central point, a crucial function for stabilizing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during Artemis Moon missions.
This test represents the third in the ongoing 12-test series for certification.
Observation of a Rocket Launch by Student Teams at NASA’s 2023 Student Launch Competition, Huntsville, Alabama, April 2023, Image Courtesy of NASA
2024 Student Launch Challenge: A Nationwide Competition
Seventy teams from 24 states and Puerto Rico have been chosen for the 2024 Student Launch Challenge. This extensive nine-month competition, which involves designing, constructing, and launching a high-powered amateur rocket and payload, will culminate between April 10-14, 2024, near the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Stay tuned for more updates from NASA this week!
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NASA Innovations
What is NASA’s recent focus on eco-friendly aviation fuel?
NASA, in partnership with Boeing, has been conducting research on sustainable aviation fuels. They are studying emissions and contrail formation to determine if these eco-friendly fuels can reduce atmospheric heat trapping.
What is the purpose of NASA’s scientific balloon campaign in Antarctica?
The campaign includes flights like the GUSTO mission, aiming for a record 55-plus day flight to map parts of the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud, enhancing our astrophysical understanding.
What recent progress has been made on NASA’s Artemis Moon Rocket?
NASA has completed a critical engine test for the Artemis Moon Rocket, successfully conducting a 650-second hot fire test of the RS-25 engine, which is vital for future Space Launch System missions.
What is the 2024 Student Launch Challenge organized by NASA?
The challenge involves 70 teams from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, who will design, build, and launch rockets with scientific payloads. The event is set to culminate in April 2024 near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
More about NASA Innovations
- NASA and Boeing’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research
- NASA’s Antarctic Scientific Balloon Campaign
- Progress on NASA’s Artemis Moon Rocket
- NASA’s 2024 Student Launch Challenge Information
4 comments
Gotta love the science stuff, those baloons in Antartica sound awsome. Go NASA!
Wow, NASA’s doing some amazing stuff with that eco-fuel for planes, really cool to see them pushing for greener tech!
Artemis moon rocket, that’s like, sci-fi becoming real, right? Can’t wait to see it launch.
Those student teams in the 2024 challenge are gonna learn so much, what an opportunity! Wish I had that when i was in school.