Author name: Kirsten Propitius

Thermal Control System (TCS) for CubeSats
Space Technology

08 November 2021

Royal NLR and ISISPACE launch mission to keep CubeSats cool

From defence to telecommunications and Earth observation to space exploration, CubeSats have become a critical tool in expanding our horizons. But as the technical demands of the domain increase, power densities and subsequent temperatures are also on the rise. To help keep these temps in check, NLR and ISISpace have joined forces to keep these satellites, and their system engineers, cool.

Close-up green algae background.
Sustainability and Environment

24 September 2021

Production of sustainable aviation fuels in the Netherlands might not meet demand

The amounts of sustainable aviation fuels being produced by 2050 from the biobased feedstocks that will be available in the Netherlands can only meet a fraction of the anticipated fuel demand. The supply potential for synthetic kerosene, produced using CO2 that has been recycled or captured from the atmosphere and renewable electricity, is larger and may be sufficient. However, that depends heavily on the amount of excess renewable electricity allocated to the aviation sector.

Platform Technology

31 August 2021

R&D case: Integrated antennas for aerostructures (ACASIAS)

Advanced Concepts for Aero-Structures with Integrated Antennas and Sensors (ACASIAS). The European ACASIAS project will be reducing the energy consumption of aeroplanes in the future by improving their aerodynamic performance. NLR, together with Fokker Aerostructures, is investigating smarter ways of using parts of the fuselage by adding functions to them, such as building in a beamforming antenna.

Kick-off Next Generation Civil Tilt Rotor
Flight Operations and Certification

26 August 2021

Big data, AI and flight testing

Flight testing is essential to ensure the safe operation of aircraft, while at the same time it is a demanding and time-consuming part of the certification process. Combining this requirement with the diverse range of aircraft concepts being created currently, requires new approaches. Data science can help.

Delivering the European green deal
Sustainability and Environment

23 July 2021

Blog: Fit for 55!

Last Wednesday, the European Commission presented ‘Fit for 55%’, a package for the practical implementation of the EU’s Green Deal. In a previous blog post, I looked at a much-repeated misconception concerning kerosene tax. Now I wish to consider the question of to what extent the new package can boost the sustainability of the aviation industry.

Operations of the European Robotic Arm on the International Space Station
Space Technology

22 July 2021

Properly prepared for space

The Russian rocket has been launched successfully from Baikonur Cosmodrome on 21 July. The cargo, which includes the European Robotic Arm, is underway to the international space station, ISS. After many years of postponements, the Mission Preparation and Training Equipment that NLR developed will then finally have proved its worth.

Signing of the agreement establishing the ICAO
Airport Operations

15 July 2021

Blog: Kerosene tax: what exactly is the deal?

As part of the set of measures proposed by the European Commission to meet the 2030 CO2 reduction target – ‘Fit for 55%’ – the topic of kerosene tax is back on the political agenda. In this blog, I will try to clarify the laws and regulations on this matter and correct a common misunderstanding.

Blu sky Airplane and clouds
Sustainability and Environment

12 July 2021

Centralised information about aircraft noise

Aircraft noise leads to a lot of discussions in the Netherlands. To keep not only the general public but also politicians and policymakers properly and objectively informed, RIVM (the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), NLR and To70 have bundled together relevant information about this topic and placed it on a new website, www.vliegtuiggeluid.nl. It covers topics such as measuring and calculating aircraft noise, what its effects on health are, and legislation and regulations.

CFRP Vinci Thrust Frame - composite
Construction and Manufacturing

12 July 2021

R&D case: CFRP Vinci thrust frame for the Ariane 6 launcher

Optimising the engine thrust frame of the Ariane 6 launcher. The Ariane 6 Launcher will enter a very competitive commercial launcher market. New entrants to this market have reduced the launch price per unit mass payload by half (50%). Compared to Ariane 5 the production costs of the Ariane 6 launcher should be reduced by at least 50%.