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UAM Crashworthiness and Occupant Protection (AAVP32)

Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

To address the need for crashworthiness requirements and onboard occupant crash and impact protection, NASA will deliver: 1) full-scale and component-level data to inform eVTOL standards development; and 2) test guidelines, modeling best practices, and vehicle technologies for crash mitigation that reduce predicted occupant compressive lumbar loads to less than 1500 lb for five load cases that represent expected eVTOL impact conditions for the RVLT Lift+Cruise reference configuration.

Benefits

The focus will be on satisfying adequate onboard occupant crash and impact protection and defining limits for operational environments.
Computer modelling efforts will be used to help address gaps in technology and to guide research necessary to develop recommended standards.
The data generated and results acquired will support standards development for certification needs.

Details

Technology areaMaterials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing
ProgramAdvanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP)
Lead organizationLangley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Start date2022-04-01
End date2026-06-30

Project contacts

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How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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