Feature

Ground vibration tests prove to be a key milestone for NASA’s X-57 Maxwell

It’s not only automobiles that are going electric – aeroplanes are as well! And, to prove that aircraft can be electrically powered, NASA has developed the X-57 Maxwell, its first all-electric X-plane.

04/01/2022 16:01:45

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The X-57 aeroplane, currently in the Mod II configuration, is a modified version of the Italian Tecnam P2006T. In place of the usual gasoline-powered motors, the X-57 has
two all-electric motors powered by traction batteries. The X-57 Maxwell project has some lofty goals, including lower energy consumption (the X-57’s motors use one-fifth the energy of a gasoline-powered
aircraft), reduced emissions, and lower noise during flight.

The challenge: Making it real

As NASA engineers design new electrically powered aircraft, they must ensure that their designs not only
use energy efficiently, but also that the aircraft can fly safely. One way they do this is to build an analytical model of the aircraft structure and simulate the
stresses the aircraft will experience while in flight. By doing this, they can uncover weaknesses in their designs and fix them, before making expensive prototypes...

Read the full article in DPA's January issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.