Sustainability and Environment
NASA To Install Batteries in e-Aircraft Demonstrator
NASA’s electric experimental aircraft, the X-57 “Maxwell,” is nearing the end of ground tests and being prepared for the installation of batteries.
NASA's X-57 electric aircraft demonstrator is nearing the end of ground tests and is now being prepared for the installation of batteries. The space agency expects to fly the modified Tecnam P200\6T later this year. (Photo: NASA)
NASA's X-57 electric aircraft demonstrator is nearing the end of ground tests and is now being prepared for the installation of batteries. The space agency expects to fly the modified Tecnam P200\6T later this year. (Photo: NASA)

NASA’s electric experimental aircraft, the X-57 “Maxwell,” is nearing the end of ground tests and being prepared for the installation of batteries, the agency said late last week. The X-57 is a modified Tecnam P2006T will fly later this year in a "Mod II" configuration, with the battries installed but still using its two avgas-powered Rotax engines. A final configuration, slated to fly in 2025, will replace the Rotax engines with 14 leading-edge-mounted electric motors.