Meet the NASA First Electric Airplane. NASA, showcased an early version of its first all-electric experimental aircraft, the X-57 “Maxwell,” on Friday at its lesser-known aeronautics lab in the California desert.

NASA First Electric Airplane

The two largest electric motors which will ultimately propel the plane are powered by specially designed lithium ion batteries. NASA also flaunted a newly built simulator that allows engineers and pilots to get the feel of what it will be like to navigate the finished version of the X-57 during the flight, even though the plane remains under development.

The Maxwell is the latest experimental aircraft, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has developed over many decades for many purposes. The Maxwell will be the agency’s first crewed X-plane to be built, designed and developed in two decades.

NASA’s X-57 venture is aimed at designing by using standard technology that can be adapted by commercial manufacturers for government certification. Those will include standards for airworthiness and safety, as well as for energy efficiency and noise. Their target right now is to fly this airplane in late 2020.

The final modification i.e. Mod IV, of the aircraft will include narrower, lighter-weight wings fitted with a total of 14 electric engines. Out of 14, six are smaller “lift” props presented along the leading edge of each wing and two are larger “cruise” props at the tip of each wing.

As electric motor systems are more compact with fewer moving parts than internal-combustion engines, they are simpler to maintain and weigh much less, require less energy to fly and are quieter than conventional engines.

They are mainly focusing on improving battery technology to store more energy to extend the plane’s range along with faster re-charging. Due to current battery limitations, the Maxwell’s design is intended for use in short-haul flights as an air-taxi or commuter plane for a small number of passengers.

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