STARC-ABL turboelectric 150-passenger concept

Electrified aircraft propulsion is a key priority for NASA Aeronautics because of its potential to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and noise for commercial airplanes. Current battery technology and electric charging infrastructure, however, are not yet advanced enough to support all-electric commercial aircraft.

The STARC-ABL concept, developed by ASAB in partnership with other NASA branches, aims to bridge the gap between today’s jet fuel-powered planes and future all-electric vehicles. It is a 150-passenger, tube-and-wing transport that uses turboelectric propulsion: onboard gas turbines drive generators in the wings, supplying electrical power to the tail.

A tail-mounted, all-electric propulsor takes advantage of boundary layer ingestion by drawing in the slow-moving air that collects around the fuselage, accelerating it and releasing it behind the airplane to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.

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