NASA to Begin Ground Testing on All-Electric X-57

March 3, 2021

NASA's all-electric X-57 Maxwell prepares for ground vibration testing at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. (Credits: NASA Photo/Lauren Hughes)

NASA is set to start high-voltage functional ground testing of the agency’s first all-electric X-plane, the X-57 Maxwell, which will perform flights to help develop certification standards for emerging electric aircraft. NASA is also supporting these new electric aircraft by developing quiet, efficient, reliable technology these vehicles will need in routine use.

Testing is expected to start with low power, checking the startup and shutdown sequences and verifying that the new motor control software boots up and controls the motors as expected.

The first pair of electric cruise motors to fly on the X-57 will be powered up and activated, allowing engineers to ensure that the vehicle’s propellers spin as designed.

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