Posted on 03/07/2025 11:02:04 AM PST by Red Badger
Photo Credit: Ascendance
Electric vehicles have seen remarkable growth over the past decade and are now commonplace on many streets. Two companies, Capgemini and Ascendance, are hoping to build upon that evolution by taking it to the skies.
The companies recently announced that they're extending a partnership designed to kick-start sustainable air travel — with a test flight set for this year.
Air travel is a major culprit when it comes to climate change. One study found that commercial airplanes accounted for nearly 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and another estimated that the industry is responsible for about 5% of global warming.
In many cases, flying is more damaging to the environment than a similar trip made by car. This is particularly true for private flights, as the emissions from one four-hour trip in a private jet can equal those emitted by the average European citizen in a year.
That's why Capgemini and Ascendance are laser-focused on making air travel more sustainable.
"Together, we will contribute to making sustainable aviation more accessible, leveraging innovations that will reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector while offering new possibilities for the mobility of tomorrow," Ascendance co-founder and CEO Jean-Christophe Lambert said.
Two of Ascendance's products are key to this endeavor. First is STERNA, a system that allows multiple energy sources to be used simultaneously, much like in a hybrid vehicle. Next is ATEA, an aircraft that uses the STERNA system.
ATEA uses vertical takeoff and landing technology, making it a possible alternative to helicopters. Ascendance hopes to have a test flight for the ATEA aircraft later in 2025 and aims for it to be commercially certified in 2028.
The company claims that ATEA can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional aircraft and that STERNA could cause a 25% reduction when added to existing aircraft. Ascendance said its goal is to help "aviation to reach carbon neutrality by 2050."
Capgemini, meanwhile, works with many companies to help provide technology, strategy, and engineering solutions. As EV Magazine noted, the partnership is similar to how some well-known automakers have helped EV startups ramp up their production and operations.
Harrier.
“If I could have my choice for air travel, I’d take a DC3”
My very first flight was on an Eastern Airlines DC-3 from Daytona Beach to JAX. I was about 7 years old. I remember looking down and seeing a huge field of parked WWII fighter planes.
all that thrust being used to maintain altitude? Does not look efficient !
EXACTLY! Plus imagine the crowd control possibilities the next time the Democrats stage a riot?
Solid choice. So would an Apache
Yes film at noon see what we seen.
“Air travel is a major culprit when it comes to climate change. “
This crap is in everything. A mind virus.
Awesome planes. I was on Cape Cod a couple of years ago, heard the unmistakeable sound of reciprocating engines low overhead, and looked up to see this:
When we continued up the road, I saw these in a big grass field:
Just superb. They even retrofit these with turboprop engines!
-PJ
That they don’t even have a mock-up to show tells you something.........................
Reminds me of the a Popular Mechanics article from 1960. I’m still waiting for those flying cars.
AI might just give that to you.
I saw this Harrier a few years ago.
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-3738048065-harrier-vtol-aircraft-running-on-tarmac
It was originally HD but I was able to remaster to 4K.
From what I remember the announcer said, it was the only privately owned one. This was 2014.
From Google AI
Yes, technically you can legally own a Harrier jump jet as a civilian, but it is extremely difficult to do so and requires extensive approvals due to its military origin, complex maintenance needs, and the need for a highly qualified pilot to fly it; the only known privately owned and flown Harrier belongs to a former military test pilot, Art Nalls, who has a specially modified Sea Harrie
F4 Phantom for me. Like the sound and every landing is a test of airmanship.
I hope so. Otherwise, the lunatic that just cut you off on the highway will be at the controls over your house.
Here is what I slapped together way back when of what Harrier stuff I saw at that show.
It’s short.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuuIfvyYC-w
Oh f**k off.
Hard to read the whole thing.
Globull warming is so yesterday.
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