CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -NASA announced that its X-57 Maxwell all-electric aircraft completed thermal testing of its cruise motor controllers, reaching another milestone on the journey towards its first flight.

Detailed explanation-2: -The NASA X-57 Maxwell is an experimental aircraft being developed by NASA, intended to demonstrate technology to reduce fuel use, emissions, and noise. The first flight of the X-57 is scheduled to take place in 2023.

Detailed explanation-3: -The X-57 project is the agency’s first all-experimental electric aircraft, and an early part of NASA’s work to develop sustainable aviation solutions. Instead of aviation fuel, it will use commercial, rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries for the energy its motors need for flight.

Detailed explanation-4: -According to Guinness World Records, the first authenticated, manned flight of a helicopter powered by an electric motor took place on August 4, 2011, in Venelles, France. The aircraft was flown by Pascal Chretien (France) and hovered about 50 cm (19 in) above the ground for a little over two minutes.

Detailed explanation-5: -Notes: NASA has recently launched its first all-electric experimental aircraft (or X-plane).