Good Stewards: NASA’s Role in Alternative Energy

Bruce I. Larrimer

Consistent with its responsibilities to exploit aeronautics technology for the benefit of the American people, NASA has pioneered the develop­ment and application of alternative energy sources. Its work is argu­ably most evident in wind energy and solar power for high-altitude remotely piloted vehicles. Here, NASA’s work in aerodynamics, solar power, lightweight structural design, and electronic flight controls has proven crucial to the evolution of novel aerospace craft.

HIS CASE STUDY REVIEWS two separate National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) programs that each involved research and development (R&D) in the use of alternative energy. The first part of the case study covers NASA’s participation in the Federal Wind Energy Program from 1974 through 1988. NASA’s work in the wind energy area included design and fabrication of large horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) generators, and the conduct of supporting research and technology projects. The second part of the case study reviews NASA’s development and testing of high-altitude, long-endurance solar – powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This program, which ran from 1994 through 2003, was part of the Agency’s Environmental Research and Aircraft Sensor Technology Program.