FutureFlight On The Radar
Sustainable Aviation Stands to Benefit From New Green Goals in NASA's Budget
NASA's budget request for 2022 would see funding for aeronautics research and development rise 10.4 percent, with more money for programs like the X-57 Maxwell aircraft, advanced air vehicles, and a new single-aisle airliner.

The top line of NASA’s first budget request under the Biden Administration signals the organization’s clear intent to embrace the new American president’s commitment to achieving environmental sustainability. Under the heading “addressing the climate crisis at home and abroad,” NASA's financial year 2022 budget request confirms its plan for a Sustainable Flight National Partnership to develop “highly efficient” aircraft and to support new academic-led research into zero-emissions aviation.

If approved, the overall NASA budget for 2022 would be 6 percent bigger than the 2021 total, rising to $24.8 billion (see page 25 of the document). But the aeronautics line item shows a 10.4 percent increase to $915 million and is set to continue growing to reach $997 million in 2026.