← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Integrated Testbed for Environmental Analysis of NextGen Concepts using ACES
Completed
TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Description
The key innovation in this effort is the development of an industrial-grade analysis testbed to integrate simulation tools, such as ACES, with aviation environmental effects models, such as the Aviation Environmental Design Toolkit (AEDT), to provide a "360-degree" evaluation of new operational concepts. The testbed will be demonstrated by producing such a "360-degree" evaluation of advanced NextGen concepts such as time-based merging and spacing at ATL airport, high-density metroplex concepts, and the efficiency of new route structures with environmentally responsible aircraft using RNAV routing. The industrial-grade software will be implemented in Java and can potentially reduce the analysis time for combined performance/environmental analyses by several months over the current state of the art.
Benefits
Potentially the tool could be used by any airport, FAA analyst, or aviation consultant interested in performing a comprehensive analysis of new concepts under consideration. Thus all congested Metroplex areas (approximately fourteen in the United States), as well as large airlines and all large airports could benefit from using this tool for expansion planning.
This tool enables NASA headquarters to make future research investment decisions about advanced aviation concepts using information about both their expected performance impact as well as their expected environmental impact. In addition, analysts at NASA centers that study advanced concepts (currently, Langley, Ames, and Glenn) can use this tool to fine-tune their ideas so that they meet performance and environmental objectives.
Details
| Technology area | Propulsion Systems > Aero Propulsion > Integrated Systems and Ancillary Technologies |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Intelligent Automation, Inc., Rockville, MD |
| Start date | 2011-06-01 |
| End date | 2013-11-30 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.