http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/aviation/ Aviation news. Read the latest in aviation, from bird-sized airplanes with shape-shifting wings and thinking mini-helicopters to liquid fuel-powered scramjets and more. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/aviation/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110071535.htm A group of engineers working on a novel manufacturing technique at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., have come up with a new twist on the popular old saying about dreaming and doing: "If you can slice it, we can build it." That's because layers mean everything to the environmentally-friendly construction process called Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication, or EBF3, and its operation sounds like something straight out of science fiction. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110071535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027132959.htm Researchers are investigating long-distance, mobile optical links imperative for secure quantum communications capabilities in theater. They have conducted high data-rate experiments using an optical laser link, a tool which exploits the quantum noise of light for higher security. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027132959.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028125147.htm NASA's Ares I-X test rocket lifted off Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a two-minute powered flight. The test flight lasted about six minutes from its launch from the newly-modified Launch Complex 39B until splash down of the rocket's booster stage nearly 150 miles down range. The 327-foot tall Ares I-X test vehicle produced 2.6 million pounds of thrust to accelerate the rocket to nearly 3 g's and Mach 4.76, just shy of hypersonic speed. It capped its easterly flight at a sub-orbital altitude of 150,000 feet after the separation of its first stage, a four-segment solid rocket booster. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028125147.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020162007.htm Maple tree seeds and the spiraling pattern in which they glide to the ground have delighted children for ages and perplexed engineers for decades. Now aerospace engineering graduate students have learned how to apply the seeds' unique design to aerial devices that can fly, hover and perform surveillance in defense and emergency situations. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020162007.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122651.htm A new computerized approach to airport operations is being developed that will reduce delays, speed up baggage handling and decrease pollution. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019122651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001095612.htm Aircraft maintenance will be easier in future, with sensors monitoring the aircraft skin. If they discover any dents or cracks they will send a radio message to a monitoring unit. The energy needed for this will be obtained from temperature differences. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001095612.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094030.htm Direct communication between Earth and Mars can be strongly disturbed and even blocked by the Sun for weeks at a time, cutting off any future human mission to the Red Planet. An European Space Agency engineer working with engineers in the UK may have found a solution using a new type of orbit combined with continuous-thrust ion propulsion. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016094030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124823.htm A UK engineering student has designed a motor that could one day help transform rocket design. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013123350.htm The Naval Research Laboratory's Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle, has flown 23 hours and 17 minutes, setting an unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013123350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122325.htm Weather conditions such as wind and snow loads can cause failure and collapse of supporting structures in roofs and similar constructions. Based on new hybrid intelligent construction elements (HICE), researchers in Germany have developed a shell structure which is able to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In a further step, the scientists will now use their knowledge to develop machines from these new structural elements which will also be able to react to their environments and adapt to given conditions. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902122325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006104316.htm An engineer in the UK has helped to demonstrate that rockets can run on toffee. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006104316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007161127.htm Researchers are developing a new type of rocket propellant made of a frozen mixture of water and "nanoscale aluminum" powder that is more environmentally friendly than conventional propellants and could be manufactured on the moon, Mars and other water-bearing bodies. Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007161127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091004020806.htm NASA has made a series of critical strides toward the development of new nuclear reactors the size of a trash can that could power a human outpost on the moon or Mars. Three recent tests at different NASA centers and a national lab have successfully demonstrated key technologies required for compact fission-based nuclear power plants for human settlements on other worlds. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091004020806.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133125.htm Physicists have developed the world's most sensitive astronomical camera. Marketed by Photon etc., a young Quebec firm, the camera will be used by the Mont-Megantic Observatory and NASA, which purchased the first unit. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133125.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102532.htm Completing an 18-month mission orbiting the Earth more than 6,000 times on-orbit the International Space Station (ISS), the Optical Reflector Material Experiment (ORMatE-1) returns to Washington, D.C., to NRL's Electronics Science and Technology Division to begin experiment testing and analysis. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930102532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928194449.htm NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is testing a new robotic lunar lander test bed that will aid in the development of a new generation of multi-use landers for future robotic space exploration. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928194449.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922123931.htm Understanding precisely how fluid boils in tiny "microchannels" has led to formulas and models that will help engineers design systems to cool high-power electronics in electric and hybrid cars, aircraft, computers and other devices. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922123931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917144125.htm Researchers are one step closer to creating a micro-aircraft that flies with the maneuverability and energy efficiency of an insect after decoding the aerodynamic secrets of insect flight. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917144125.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914110959.htm Space is not a fun place to get a stomach bug. To ensure drinking water is adequately disinfected, chemists have developed a two-minute water quality monitoring method that just started six months of tests aboard the International Space Station. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914110959.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910235638.htm Sniffing out any potential contaminants on the International Space Station where it was stationed for the last six months, the NASA-built electronic nose, or ENose, is homeward bound. While on the space station, the ENose sampled the air with 32 sensors that can detect various odors and pinpoint which ones are dangerous to humans. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910235638.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165241.htm Scientists are developing a new technology for use in underwater acoustics. The new technology uses flashes of laser light to remotely create underwater sound. The new acoustic source has the potential to expand and improve both Naval and commercial underwater acoustic applications, including undersea communications, navigation and acoustic imaging. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090904165241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819164319.htm A new study looks at the highly sophisticated structure of teeth and how this structure could be applied to aircraft and space vehicles of the future. Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819164319.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826152802.htm Recent tests by researchers at NIST will provide much needed, independent data on how electromagnetic radiation penetrates aircraft, helping to ensure continued air travel safety. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826152802.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821163515.htm NASA and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research have successfully launched a small rocket using an environmentally-friendly, safe propellant comprised of aluminum powder and water ice, called ALICE. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821163515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811091845.htm Staff from Poker Flat Research Range have traveled north to assist fire personnel in mapping Interior Alaska's Crazy Mountain Complex fires with unmanned aircraft. The team is stationed at Mile 145 of the Steese Highway, between Circle and Central. They have been deploying the aircraft since Aug. 5. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090811091845.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141720.htm Researchers have completed a successful flight test of the fuel cell powered XFC (eXperimental Fuel Cell) unmanned aerial system. During the June 2 flight test, the XFC UAS was airborne for more than six hours. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731090042.htm There is a long held belief among engineers and biologists that micro flying robots that fly like airplanes and helicopters consume much more energy than micro robots that fly like flies. A new study now shows that a fly wing that spins like a helicopter blade generates the same amount of lift as a flapping fly wing while consuming only half the energy to move the wing. This finding can inspire the design of efficient micro flying robots with spinning fly-like wings. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731090042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124954.htm Dye-sensitized solar cells are expected to power Air Force unmanned aerial vehicles in the future because they are an optimum energy harvesting source that may lead to longer flight times without refueling. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124954.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727080836.htm The most important way to reduce carbon dioxide from transport is to get the transport sector integrated into the overall energy system, according to experts. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727080836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707093625.htm Tiny flying machines can be used for everything from indoor surveillance to exploring collapsed buildings, but simply making smaller versions of planes and helicopters doesn't work very well. Instead, researchers are mimicking nature's small flyers -- and developing robotic bats that offer increased maneuverability and performance. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707093625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703065323.htm Modern robotics can help where it is too dangerous for humans to venture. Search and rescue robots (S&R robots) have meanwhile become so sophisticated that they have already carried out their first missions in disasters. And for this reason rescue robots will be given a special place at the RoboCup 2009 -- the robotics world championships in Graz. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703065323.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626091127.htm Dolphins are supremely agile swimmers, but it wasn't clear how their fins help them maneuver though water. Building scale models of whale and dolphins' fins, a team of US scientists has found that some dolphins' fins work just like delta wing aircraft. Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626091127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626091129.htm An emergency rule intended to reduce the number of deaths and injuries associated with Hawaiian air tours was followed by a 47 percent reduction in sightseeing crashes, according to a new study. However, the proportion of crashes that resulted in lives lost actually increased after the rule change due to an increase in crashes that resulted from poor visibility. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626091129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619202611.htm The seeds of a lowly weed could cut jet fuel's cradle-to-grave carbon emissions by 84 percent. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619202611.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608125059.htm Smithsonian scientists have examined the feather remains from the Jan. 15 US Airways Flight 1549 bird strike to determine not only the species, but also that the Canada geese involved were from a migratory, rather than resident, population. This knowledge is essential for wildlife professionals to develop policies and techniques that will reduce the risk of future collisions. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608125059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092526.htm Tensairity elements made of air filled membrane assemblies, rods and cables have already made a name for themselves in the construction world as extremely light yet strong load-bearing structures. But is this new technology also suitable for use in the aerospace industry, for example to create novel wings for kites? Researchers are now demonstrating their first flying models. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529121416.htm European researchers have developed a small robotic drone capable of helping save lives in emergency situations or preventing terrorist attacks in urban areas. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529121416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529135304.htm Understanding thundercloud electrification and lightning initiation is challenging because the ranges of electric potential and spatial extents of electric fields inside thunderclouds are not known. Directly measuring electric fields in thunderclouds is challenging--active regions of storms can cover many cubic kilometers with violent weather conditions, making it difficult to operate balloons and aircraft. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529135304.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529135535.htm A semicontinuous current flow has been measured above electrified clouds. Called the Wilson current, this phenomenon has long been considered a critical component of the global electric circuit; however, only a few studies have directly investigated this current, yielding only a few dozen measurements. Sun, 31 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529135535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090524170651.htm By combining the best of two different distance measurement approaches with a super-accurate technology called an optical frequency comb, researchers have built a laser ranging system that can pinpoint multiple objects with nanometer precision over distances up to 100 km. Wed, 27 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090524170651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084721.htm Wings which redirect air to waggle sideways could cut airline fuel bills by 20% according to new research. Fri, 22 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520112439.htm NASA and industry engineers successfully completed the first test of the Ares I rocket's three main parachutes Wednesday. The parachutes -- the largest rocket parachutes ever manufactured -- are designed to slow the rapid descent of the rocket's spent first-stage motor, permitting its recovery for use on future flights. Wed, 20 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520112439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515150946.htm The inexpensive plastic now used to manufacture CDs and DVDs may soon be put to use in improving the integrity of electronics in aircraft, computers and iPhones. Researchers have demonstrated ultra-high electrical conductive properties in these plastics. Sun, 17 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515150946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504171955.htm A study of 10 small Indiana airports found that animals can gain easy access to runways and infield area, increasing the likelihood of planes striking those animals. "Just about every pilot we talked to at these airports said that during a landing they've had to pull up to avoid hitting an animal on the runway," said one of the researchers. Sat, 09 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504171955.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132241.htm When a jet is flying faster than the speed of sound, one small mistake can tear it apart. And when the jet is so experimental that it must fly unmanned, only a computer control system can pilot it. Engineers have designed control system software that can do just that -- by adapting to changing conditions during a flight. Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065456.htm An unlikely multidisciplinary scientific collaboration has discovered that an electronic nose developed for air quality monitoring on Space Shuttle Endeavour can also be used to detect odor differences in normal and cancerous brain cells. The results of the pilot study open up new possibilities for neurosurgeons in the fight against brain cancer. Mon, 04 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420121333.htm Researchers have developed a new method for systematically identifying bugs in aircraft collision avoidance systems, high-speed train controls and other complex, computer-controlled devices, collectively known as cyber-physical systems. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420121333.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422151834.htm "Congestion pricing" could solve the problem of airport delays, says an economist. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422151834.htm