Innovating Energy Solutions for Aerospace Sustainability at Aurora Flight Sciences
Key Ideas
- Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, leads in developing high-performance energy systems for the next generation of aviation, focusing on custom battery and fuel cell development.
- The advanced energy lab at Aurora designs custom lithium-ion battery packs for extended flight times in autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.
- Engineers are working on developing different types of batteries, including a pouch cell prototype and an auxiliary belly-mounted battery, to enhance performance and flight endurance.
- Aurora successfully achieved a seven-hour flight test with hydrogen fuel cell power, showcasing significant advancements in flight endurance for their aircraft.
Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, is at the forefront of innovating energy solutions for sustainable aerospace development. The company's advanced energy lab plays a crucial role in designing and testing high-performance energy systems tailored for the next generation of aviation. Custom battery and fuel cell development are central to Aurora's efforts, with a focus on lithium-ion batteries to power autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles like the SKIRON-X small unmanned aircraft system. The lab is actively working on different battery prototypes, including pouch cells that offer higher energy efficiency and lightweight construction, as well as an auxiliary belly-mounted battery designed specifically for the SKIRON-X aircraft. Recent tests have shown impressive flight endurance advancements, with a SKIRON-X outfitted with prototype batteries flying for over 5 hours on battery power alone. Moreover, Aurora has achieved a groundbreaking seven-hour flight test using hydrogen fuel cell power, signaling significant progress in enhancing flight endurance. The company's commitment to testing and validation is evident through the use of state-of-the-art equipment like thermal chambers and high-voltage test systems to simulate real-world conditions and ensure operational safety. The lab's focus on safety includes rigorous certification tests to meet the highest operational standards. Overall, Aurora Flight Sciences is driving the aerospace industry towards a greener future by pioneering sustainable energy storage innovations.
Topics
Fuel Cells
Aviation
Innovation
Sustainability
Electric Vehicles
Energy Storage
Battery Technology
Aerospace
Testing
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