to help create a safe and prosperous society this is the goal of the
aeronautical research and development at Japan aerospace exploration agency or
JAXA
flying has become so much a part of our world that it would be hard to imagine
life and business without it and global air transportation is expected to
increase even more over the next 20 years with a growth rate of around 260
percent forecast aviation is one of the fastest growing industries in the world
but the increase in air traffic will create more noise and more exhaust gases
the burden on the environment caused by aircraft has become a global issue
another problem is increased air traffic congestion at airports this must not be
allowed to impact safety in order to find solutions for these problems and to
promote further development of Japan's aviation industry Jaxx's aeronautical
research and development is pursuing three research programs ecat star and
sky frontier but first let's look at the aeronautical science and basic
technology research which supports the three programs
the aeronautical science and basic technology research fields include
aerodynamics numerical simulation and structural and materials technologies
for both aircraft and spacecraft maintaining and continuing to make
improvements to the test facilities is also one of its important roles JAXA has
the largest cluster of wind tunnels in Japan wind tunnel technologies developed
over the years provide precise and reliable test data jack says digital
analog hybrid wind tunnel which integrates conventional wind tunnel
experimentation with super computer-aided numerical simulation is
an innovative technology that can provide highly accurate data at low cost
jaxa also promotes advanced research to explain complex fluid flow phenomena
around the airframe
aircraft and spacecraft need to be both light and sturdy and they must be able
to withstand the extreme environments they operate in
so another role for JAXA is carrying out research and development for creating
new composite materials and innovative structural technologies JAXA uses flight
simulators for experiments on the ground then proves the results using research
aircraft in demonstration flights these are some of the ways the research
explores flight characteristics and air worthiness for greater safety in the
skies now we'll look at Jax's three research and development programs
first let's take a look at the environment conscious aircraft
technology program called ecat as its name suggests the program targets
environmental issues such as carbon dioxide emissions and noise around
airports development of next generation engine technologies is an important
contribution to the drive to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft to
develop technologies required for highly efficient lighter fans and turbines that
can reduce fuel consumption JAXA is carrying out tests to verify its
effectiveness core engine technologies which Japan has not much experience with
up until now and noise reduction technologies are also being studied
noise is a serious issue for communities around airports JAXA is developing ways
to reduce the noise generated by wing flaps and landing gear the major sources
of airframe noise JAXA is going to verify the technology's effectiveness
using research aircraft
to design airframes that have better environmental performance JAXA is making
integral approaches combining lightweight solutions and drag reduction
technology another program is the safety technology for aviation and disaster
relief program or star it aims for safer skies and improved disaster relief
response operations JAXA has developed onboard safety avionics technologies
that can detect clear air turbulence in cruise altitude using its world-class
Doppler lidar technology JAXA is developing ways to reduce airframe
shaking during turbulence and provide pilots with advance warning the Great
East Japan earthquake in 2011 affected a wide area and relief operations were
extremely difficult to execute in some locations JAXA is developing a system
that will integrate operations of aircraft and satellites to collect and
share information and ensure more effective rescue efforts
many airports in Japan handle high-density air traffic with short
runways and weather factors are the major contributors that reduce
operational safety and efficiency to protect air transport from snow ice
lightning and volcanic ash JAXA is developing technologies that detect and
predict the conditions of the airframe runway and weather around flight paths
the use of unmanned aircraft is growing in the private sector at JAXA studies
are being made to expand its use for disaster relief and environmental
monitoring
the last program we will look at is called sky frontier it's challenge is to
fulfill society's expectations for aircraft to fly faster takeoff and land
practically anywhere and be environmentally friendly
Jax's technology's on sonic boom reduction and drag reduction will lead
the world in developing economical and eco-friendly supersonic passenger
transport
Jax's electric propulsion system successfully powered a manned glider to
make the system applicable for larger aircraft JAXA is making continuous
development efforts electric aircraft is a valid option that might bring
innovative changes to our society
hypersonic transport that can fly at Mach 5 faster helicopters
and vertical short takeoff and landing aircraft JAXA is exploring various
concepts in enabling technologies for future aircraft
jaxa is shaping dreams into reality developing new technologies that bring
beneficial changes to the aviation industry and society
aeronautical science and basic technology and three research programs
at JAXA will contribute in the drive for a safe secure and prosperous society
we're now
Oh