I’m not sure what the future will be for LENR but...
It would seem that powering an aircraft is about the last thing on the list to do with LENR.
How about a house? A car? Even a satellite (in keeping with NASA’s former mission).
A satellite would be the right path. If LENR is scaleable, then houses, cars, water heaters, desalination, space stations, boats, trains, HVAC, electricity generation and aircraft would eventually all experience the economic disruption.
Not at all. This is precisely in the "thought mode" that DARPA, ARPA, and similar research organizations are chartered to pursue....very high risk but very high reward technology. I've seem some things a LOT "farther out" than LENR.
How about the following....a "hot air" LENR powered dirigible?? LENR generates electricity for prop drive, and the waste heat provides lift? WAY safer than H2 lift. Pretty much unlimited cruising time/range. Heavy-lift capability that needs no airports. Gigantically higher cargo capacity than any helicopter.
NASA wants to demonstrate new ways to waste taxpayer money.