NASA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the International Forum of Aviation Research are planning their first joint research flights to investigate alternative fuels for aviation.
In May, scientists will test how engines operate with various biofuel compositions during a two-week campaign at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
For the project, NASA is modifying a DC-8 to enable one of the four engines to burn alternative, synthetic fuels during flight tests. The DLR will contribute its research aircraft Falcon (pictured), designed to measure changes in emissions and contrail properties when using alternative fuels in-flight.
Also this week, Boeing said it's collaborating with research partners in the United Arab Emirates on a project to test desert plants fed by seawater called halophytes, which the partners say will produce aviation biofuel more efficiently than other feedstocks.
