The 5 most-read aerospace stories of 2021

The future of aerospace could look very different, and 2021 was the year that we gained a better understanding of what it might look like. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen propulsion emerged as serious contenders in the race to decarbonise aviation, while radical rocket concepts offered new ways of venturing further into space.

Here are the five most-read Professional Engineering aerospace stories of 2021. Click on the links throughout to read the whole articles.  

Solar flare-style rocket thruster ‘could send astronauts to outer solar system’ 

The most-read aerospace story of the year focused on a new rocket thruster concept. Proposed by Fatima Ebrahimi, a principal research physicist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in New Jersey, the thruster would replicate the mechanism behind solar flares by using magnetic fields to cause plasma particles to shoot out the back of the rocket. Potentially capable of velocities 10-times faster than current plasma thrusters, the design could bring the Solar System’s outer planets within reach of astronauts.  

Supersonic plane projects compete to transform Air Force One 

One day in the near future, the US president could make diplomatic visits at the speed of sound. Three separate projects are developing supersonic executive transports, each with their own distinguishing features: Exosonic, which is integrating ‘boom softening’ techniques; Hermeus, which is pursuing hypersonic flight; and Boom Supersonic, which aims to fly its Overture airliner using SAF.  

'Wearable cockpit' could change fighter-jet controls forever 

The Tempest fighter-jet project will replace most of the aircraft’s physical controls with augmented-reality and virtual-reality (AR and VR) systems projected directly inside the visor of a pilot’s helmet. Known as the ‘wearable cockpit’, the technology is in development at BAE Systems. Developers hope the system, designed to provide pilots and ground operators with split-second advantage, will also provide ‘instant’ configurability before missions. 

Rolls-Royce starts building world’s largest aero-engine 

In March, Rolls-Royce announced it had started building the world’s largest aero-engine, claiming it will “help redefine sustainable air travel for decades to come”. The UltraFan module, which has a fan diameter of 3.56m, could deliver a 25% fuel efficiency improvement compared with the first generation Trent engine, which first ran 31 years ago. 

Rolls-Royce 'smashes’ electric flight world record 

The aerospace giant also made headlines last month when it applied for three new world records, after reportedly ‘smashing’ top speed records for all-electric flight. The Spirit of Innovation aeroplane hit a top speed of 623km/h (387.4mph) during flights on 16 November, using a 400kW (500+hp) electric powertrain and what Rolls-Royce called “the most power-dense propulsion battery pack ever assembled in aerospace”. 

Tomorrow: the five most-read automotive stories of 2021.

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