In a major step towards a greener future for air travel, NASA has awarded Electra.aero a contract to develop next-generation sustainable aircraft designs. This collaboration, a part of NASA’s ambitious Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative, aims to revolutionize commercial air travel by the middle of the 21st century.
Electra.aero, founded in 2020 by aerospace visionary John Langford, is at the forefront of sustainable aviation. Langford, known for his groundbreaking work at Aurora Flight Sciences (acquired by Boeing in 2017), has spearheaded the development of innovative hybrid-electric propulsion systems. In 2021, Electra successfully developed a 150-kW hybrid-electric propulsion system, and flight testing began in 2023 using their two-passenger Ultra Short prototype aircraft. This prototype, equipped with cutting-edge aerodynamics and a unique hybrid-electric distributed propulsion system, boasts the ability to take off and land in a remarkably short distance of just 150 feet, earning it the designation ‘Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing’ (USTOL).
Electra is currently working on a nine-passenger version of its aircraft, targeting entry into commercial service for both passengers and cargo by the end of this decade. The company has already secured over 2,000 orders from 52 airlines, demonstrating strong industry confidence in their vision.
NASA’s AACES 2050 initiative is committed to drastically reducing carbon emissions in commercial aviation by fostering the development of groundbreaking technologies and innovative aircraft designs. Electra is collaborating with an elite consortium of industry leaders, including American Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, MIT’s Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment, and the University of Michigan’s Aerospace Engineering Department. This collaborative effort is poised to deliver solutions that address the critical environmental challenges facing the aviation industry and pave the way towards a more sustainable future.
Leading Electra’s research efforts is Dr. Alejandra Uranga, the Chief Engineer for Research and Future Concepts. Dr. Uranga, who also holds a teaching position at the University of Southern California’s Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department, brings a wealth of experience, including co-leading a previous NASA N+3 program during her time as a research engineer at MIT. Under her leadership, the Electra team is committed to accelerating the development of next-generation aircraft technologies, securing the U.S.’s position as a global leader in the pursuit of sustainable aviation.
