Important Innovations Collection

Joby Aviation's e-VTOL Being Tested by NASA                                                                      Source:  Joby and NASA NASA's Ultimate Goal:  Safely Accelerate Use of Air Taxis NASA has started testing a future air taxi for use to ferry passengers and cargo, particularly in big, congested cities.  The vehicle is a six rotor, all electric e-VTOL (electric, vertical take off and landing vehicle) developed by startup company Joby Aviation of California.  This particular aircraft is designed to be as quiet as possible in order to operate in busy cities and relieve traffic congestion without a lot of noise pollution. Joby plans to put its flying taxis into commercial operation in 2024.  NASA's ultimate goal in initiating its testing program is to sa...

Reusable, Affordable, Flying, Highly Advanced Drones                                Source:  DARPA's Gremlins Program For the US Military and Multi-Purpose Missions DARPA, the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, has a fascinating, highly advanced drone program underway to launch and catch airborne drones.  DARPA calls it the Gremlins program and it just completed the first flight test of its X-61A drone vehicle that is designed for airborne launch, free flight, swarming and then retrieval in the air, for re-use thereafter.  Drones Within Inches of Retrieval What DARPA is striving for is the aerial recovery of multiple drones that are low cost and reusable, unmanned aerial systems or  GAV (Gremlin Aerial Vehicles). The test drones each flew two hours autonomously and successfully tested for all formation flying positions and for safety.  But, with...

Adidas Onboard the International Space Station for Sneaker Experiments Source:  NASA ISS Putting Running Tech to the Longest Distance Test Adidas is really going the distance.  It just sent running shoe material aboard a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station.  The purpose is to develop the most comfortable, high performance running shoes from experimentation in the harsh conditions of space.  The German based footwear giant is performing the first ever footwear research in space. One Big Boost in Zero-Gravity Boost pellets made of the same plastic that Adidas integrates into the soles of its Boost sneakers and other running shoes are undergoing scientific experimentation in space.  This will give Adidas the opportunity to test their performance and maximum configuration in sneakers without the interference of gravity. World's Longest Scientific Marathon The plastic pellets are made of two difference polymers with slightly...

Moon is a Waystation to Mars Source:  Artemis on the Moon Artemis Lunar Program NASA has announced that it intends to build a long term presence on the Moon.  The Agency says that will eventually help humans to get to Mars.  NASA has a strategy.  The Moon will provide a waystation to Mars and it will serve as a testing ground for the technology needed for interplanetary exploration and habitats. Sustainable Architecture for Humans in Space According to the Administrator of NASA Jim Bridenstine, NASA is working to build "a sustainable open architecture" to return humans to the Moon by 2024.  Mr. Bridenstine testified this week before a US Senate committee in Washington, DC.  He said that NASA is building for the long term on the Moon  and then is going to use the Moon as a base to go to Mars and beyond. Outerspace Technology Testing Site NASA considers the Moon a testing stage where new technologies can be proven before going to Mars....