This all-electric plane could help shape the future of air travel

NASA's X-57 Maxwell aircraft is its first all-electric X-plane. Developing the X-57 is NASA's way of keeping pace with the growing market for electric aircraft and the regulatory challenges they present.

[JesseOrrall]

Do you think electric planes are the future of flight? Let us know down below!

[ericplasa]

The info given is wrong! Scepter project agency developed the plane. and it is also manufactured Armstrong flight research centre.
Please next time check the way you tell the story, keep up the work.

[kpappa]

We need solid state batteries in super high density cells to make this efficient. I am afraid fossil fuels contain so much energy per volume that no battery can replace them in aviation.

[figs]

It’s fun to be alive to witness innovation.

[markdavies]

From what I have seen so far, electric planes for short haul and city to city flights appear not only to be not far off but also a lot quieter than conventional aircraft.

[DApple-efvf]

"in cruise mode, it will be emission free"? - 1:57. It's an electric plane. Isn't it emission free anyway? Maybe hybrids are a more practical alternative.

[LargestClassifieds]

When is the actual 1st flight? I have searched and only saw animation.

[michaelespinoza]

1 hour of flight? Somebody go get Elon.

[xpeterson]

Why do the small engines fold up for cruise flight? I would imagine it would take minimal energy to keep them spinning in cruise, and I was under the impression that higher efficiency can be obtained by moving a larger mass of air more slowly rather than a smaller mass more rapidly.

As it stands, it seems (from the perspective of a YouTube commentator arm chairing it up) that any efficiency gains from the higher aspect ratio wing will be lost to the multiple drag pods the engines become when they’re not in use. I heard that the storage pods on the long ez take 5 knots off the top speed alone

[danielwhyatt]

Wait a minute...NASA CAME UP WITH THIS ONE?😲👍🏼 This’s brilliant news. Had know idea they were also working on electric planes.

[johnmyviews]

Power assisted take off either by catapult and or ground power supplied by detachable cable would greatly improve range

[alohanarealtyllc]

Can pv be added to generate electricity in flight, thus extending range?

[christophermontoya]

Rather excited for the future. I'm looking forward to this kind of technology to come into its own.

[Highlanders]

I think is great..but one think I don't understand why there don't build the all plane with the solar panel?

[harrisonbergeron]

"Can't get me no - satisfaction!"

[morend]

I think hybrid long range aircraft may be viable sooner.

[justintumlinson]

Extremely excited for electric flight. I've tried to adjust my lifestyle to reduce my carbon footprint--I use my bicycle for most travel within 25 km of home, I eat less meat and more local produce, cut my trips to the London office, but I still fly a lot and feel guilty when I do, because one flight wipes out all the gains I've made elsewhere.

[romand]

What’s done to minimize the noise pollution?

[ewaf]

Perhaps hydrogen planes will be more viable - we need a 3 fold increase in battery power density to make small planes really useful and at least a 12 fold increase for airliners

[missionimpuzzible]

@2:20 "I shouldn't have no surprises when I fly this." and this guy is the absolute best of the best NASA has to offer? A guy who speaks in double negatives?