Photo credit: www.nasa.gov

NASA’s Research on Icing Challenges for Future Aircraft

Thomas Ozoroski, a researcher at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, has been actively involved in studying icing accretion as part of innovative research on transonic truss-braced wings. In October 2024, he conducted vital measurements to evaluate the potential impact of ice buildup on these next-generation aircraft designs.

The concept behind the transonic truss-braced wing features long and slender wings supported by aerodynamic braces, a design aimed at improving fuel efficiency for airlines. However, this advanced wing structure also raises concerns regarding its vulnerability to ice accumulation during flight. Understanding these risks is crucial as aviation moves toward more efficient aircraft designs.

At NASA Glenn, scientists utilize the facility’s historic Icing Research Tunnel to simulate various icing conditions that could affect new aircraft prototypes. These simulations are critical, providing extensive data on how ice can form on different wing designs and helping to pinpoint the most hazardous icing scenarios that could compromise flight safety.

Through rigorous testing in the Icing Research Tunnel, NASA aims to refine and enhance the design of future aircraft, ensuring that they not only maximize fuel efficiency but also maintain high safety standards in varying weather conditions.

To learn more about NASA’s icing research initiatives, click here.

Image credit: NASA/Jordan Cochran

Source
www.nasa.gov