Ten-engine electric plane prototype takes off [NASA]

Phys.Org ^ | 05/04/2015 | by Kathy Barnstorff & Provided by NASA

[Hang'emAll]

NASA must be using Russian designers.

It looks like the Tupolev Tu-95
Russian Bear Bomber

[taxcontrol]

Interesting concept. I wonder if there is potential to upgrade or replace the Osprey with more engines but smaller radius propellers.

[Red Badger]

Russians bombed bears?..............

[glock rocks]

NASA video of transition from hover to dwing-borne flight:

http://www.nasa.gov/langley/ten-engine-electric-plane-completes-successful-flight-test

[lowbridge]

NASA sent a rocket to the moon. Now theyre playing with propeller airplanes?

[SES1066]

Another photo of the GL-10 that shows the 2 aft props on the tail planes.

[Proud2BeRight]

They went to electric when the rubber bands wouldn’t work.

[Bidimus1]

Electric MOTOR not engine if I recall my nomenclature correctly

[Red Badger]

The hamster died....................

[Cvengr]

If it flies, why is it being lifted by a crane?

[Blood of Tyrants]

The tail rotors make me think the aircraft is tail heavy which means it will be unstable in horizontal flight.

[UNGN]

It is a lot cheaper and more practcal than stupid stuff like “going to Mars” (for no apparent reason).

Anyone can buy the gyro stabilized electronics to make something like this work off the internet for $25 (made in China, of course)

This is where the “flying car” comes from, and the “flying car” IS going to happen.

Do you want your 2035 flying car made in the US or in China?

[onedoug]

Looks like its being supported by a sling.

Seems a huge waste of taxpayer money, IMHO.

[molson209]

Come On NASA , battery-powered plane is so last century

[UNGN]

All modern aircraft are “unstable in forward flight” in pitch.

This is more efficient than stable aircraft. The horizontal stab creates lift taking load off the wing (versus a stable aircraft where the stab creates negative lift and the wing has to generate even more lift to compensate).

Gyro’s and computers make them stable. $75 RC models have this same technology, now... you can put the CG at 50% MAC and they’ll fly great. Don’t try that with out a gyro.

[Red Badger]

The batteries are back there!........................B^)

[Moonman62]

Seems a huge waste of taxpayer money, IMHO.

...

That’s my bet, too.

[Red Badger]

Don’t try that with out a gyro.

If you say so.................Okay, I won't..............

[Yo-Yo]

The concept seems vaguely familiar...