+ Being Flexible Pays Off
The first phase of 50 test flights for the Active Aeroelastic Wing
Project's F/A-18A concludes at NASA Dryden.
+ Unmanned Vehicles Take to the Skies
First successful test flight of the remotely-operated Altair, a
high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle, concludes
at El Mirage, California.
+ Data-Sharing Adds to Safe Flights
The Performance Data and Analysis Research System (PDARS) wins the
Administrator's Award at NASA's Turning Goals into Reality (TGIR) awards
program.
+ Investigation of the Helios Prototype Aircraft Mishap (PDF)
The solar-electric, propeller-driven Helios prototype aircraft is lost
in the Pacific. Cause is later attributed to stress on the wingtips set
in their long-duration flight configuration.
+ Sonic Boom Assumes New Shape
Flight tests begin for the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstrator (SSBD) F-5E, an
aircraft with a modified forward section designed to reduce the
intensity of sonic boom noise.
+ Unmanned Vehicles Take to the Skies
A small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) makes test flights over a
California vineyard and transmits thermal images and Global Positioning
System (GPS) information to overlay irrigation maps.
+ Breaking the 'Flutter' Code
After testing in the 9x15-foot Low Speed wind tunnel, NASA Glenn uses
the flutter analysis capability of NASA's TURBO-AE code to redesign a
new high-speed fan for jet engines to meet its aggressive goals for
performance and noise reduction.
+ UEET Reports on Final Numbers
The Ultra Efficient Engine Technology project completes an interim
technology benefits assessment of the overall potential benefits from
new engine technologies designed to reduce emissions.
+ Composites Help Engines Keep Their Cool
NASA Glenn tests components and subcomponents fabricated from advanced
Ceramic Matrix Composites under gas turbine conditions to demonstrate
the material's ability to perform as required in the stressful
environment of a jet engine.
+ Better Decisions Surface from Research
The Surface Management System (SMS), a tool to help better manage air
traffic from gate to gate on the surface of airports was demonstrated in
full operational mode at Memphis International Airport.
