
NASA’s involvement in the development and refinement of aircraft propulsion technologies from 1958 to 2008 is important for three reasons. First, at the most basic level, NASA’s propulsion specialists pushed the boundaries of the design of power plants for both subsonic and supersonic flight. Innovations that emerged from NASA programs included ultra-high-bypass turbofans; advanced turboprops; and refined systems reflecting the desire for more efficient, quieter, cleaner, and safer engines. The second reason explains how NASA achieved that success. The Agency played a major role as an innovator, facilitator, collaborator, and leader as it interacted with industry and other Federal agencies, primarily the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD). NASA’s involvement in aircraft propulsion as, in the words of longtime propulsion specialist Dennis Huff, a “technology broker” highlights the continual presence of the Federal Government in the creation of technology. The third reason is that, as a result of NASA’s efforts, the U.S. aircraft propulsion industry has led the world consistently in the development of new technology with improved performance, durability, environmental compatibility, and safety.
This work provides a comprehensive review of the major contributions NASA made during the conversion from prop to jet propulsion aircraft.
Dedication v
Acknowledgments vi
Foreword vii
Chapter 1: The NACA and Aircraft Propulsion, 1915–1958 1
Chapter 2: NASA Gets to Work, 1958–1975 49
Chapter 3: The Shift Toward Commercial Aviation, 1966–1975 73
Chapter 4: The Quest for Propulsive Efficiency, 1976–1989 103
Chapter 5: Propulsion Control Enters the Computer Era, 1976–1998 139
Chapter 6: Transiting to a New Century, 1990–2008 167
Chapter 7: Toward the Future 217
Abbreviations 233
Bibliography 239
About the Author 273
Index 275
Aeronautical scientists, instructors, professors, contractors, persons interested in aviation history and history of NASA.
Product Details
- Kinney, Jeremy R.
- NASA SP 2017 231
- NASA Aeronautics Book Series
- Flight
- Aeronautics
- NASA's Contributions to Aircraft Propulsion
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Power for Flight