X-57: Nasa’s electric plane is preparing to fly – here’s how it advances emissions–free aviation
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The experimental aeroplane X-57, developed by Nasa, is due to fly for the first time this year. It has an impressive 14 propellers along its wings and is powered entirely by electricity.This sounds great considering we have to get off fossil fuels yet our demand for aviation is growing. But how much closer will Nasa's plane bring us to this goal? Finding an alternative to aviation fuels such as kerosene will be key if we want to continue flying. The X-57 uses lithium batteries to run electric motors for its propellers. But the energy you get from batteries, relative to their weight, is 50 times less than you can get from aviation fuel. The X-57 is a modified, four-seater, Italian-built Tecnam P2006T aircraft. It relies on a combination of lots of propellers, small motors and man...