Archer Aviation and NASA Sign Space Act Agreement To Collaborate on Mission-Critical eVTOL Aircraft Technologies
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Insights
The collaboration between Archer Aviation and NASA under the Space Act Agreement represents a significant advancement in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector. The focus on high-performance battery cells and safety testing is crucial for the development of eVTOL aircraft, such as Archer's Midnight air taxi. As an Aerospace Engineer, it's clear that the integration of mature battery technology is pivotal for the eVTOL industry. The success of this partnership could lead to safer, more reliable and efficient electric aircraft, potentially revolutionizing urban air mobility and reducing the carbon footprint of air transportation.
Archer's choice of a cylindrical cell for the battery form factor is noteworthy due to its proven track record in electric vehicles. This suggests a strategic approach to leverage existing technologies for aerospace applications, which could accelerate the certification process and market entry for their eVTOL aircraft. The implications for the industry include a potential increase in the pace of innovation and a competitive advantage for Archer in the AAM market.
From an Energy Storage Specialist perspective, the partnership's emphasis on battery cell safety and system design is a substantial development for the AAM industry. The use of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) for testing indicates a rigorous approach to understanding battery behavior under stress, which is essential for ensuring the safety of electric aircraft. The results of these tests could set new industry standards for battery performance and safety, potentially influencing future regulatory requirements for electric aviation.
Furthermore, the advancement of battery technology through this collaboration has broader implications beyond aviation, potentially impacting the electric vehicle industry and space applications. This could lead to cross-industry technological improvements and a more robust supply chain for high-performance batteries, which is currently a bottleneck for many electric mobility sectors.
As a Market Research Analyst, the strategic partnership between Archer and NASA is likely to have a considerable impact on investor confidence and the valuation of Archer Aviation in the stock market. The involvement of NASA lends credibility to Archer's technological capabilities and vision for the AAM industry. This could attract further investment and partnerships, potentially accelerating Archer's path to commercialization and mass production.
Moreover, the focus on battery safety and performance aligns with consumer and regulatory priorities, which is essential for public acceptance of AAM solutions. The announcement also highlights the importance of government and industry collaboration in maintaining U.S. leadership in aerospace, which could have long-term economic benefits, including job creation and maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global market.
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The parties’ collaboration under the NASA Space Act Agreement is focused on ensuring the
U.S. leads the world in the next generation of air transportation - This initial project is one part of a much larger partnership between Archer and NASA and is focused on achieving the highest levels of battery cell safety and systems for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and space applications as the parties study high-performance battery cells and perform safety testing on cells and systems
- NASA will test Archer’s battery system design for its Midnight aircraft with specific results being released to advance the entire AAM industry
Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL Aircraft (Photo: Business Wire)
Archer believes that while the supply chain for electric vehicles in the
Archer plans to deliver a high-performing battery pack with leading levels of safety to its Midnight electric air taxi, validating that these cells are tailor made for aerospace applications, including electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL), electric conventional take off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft and potential usage in space.
“We’re extremely proud to partner with NASA, who has pioneered the eVTOL industry over the last 3+ decades, in support of our collective mission to ensure
As part of the joint efforts around battery characterization, NASA and Archer will focus on further testing the safety, energy and power performance capabilities of the battery cells. Tests will be performed using one of the most advanced high speed X-ray facilities in the world, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), to understand how the cells function during extreme abuse cases. Archer has chosen these cells to power the proprietary electric powertrain system Archer has designed, developed and is beginning to mass manufacture for its production electric air taxi, Midnight. The battery cell form factor chosen by Archer, a cylindrical cell, has a track record of safety, performance and scalability proven through decades of volume manufacturing, deployed across many applications globally, including in millions of electric vehicles.
AAM promises to provide substantial public benefits to our communities, including transforming how urban and rural communities live and commute by maximizing mobility, bolstering cargo and logistics options, and creating pathways to manufacturing jobs and other ladders of social and economic opportunity. Core to unlocking this potential is designing, developing, and mass producing batteries and electric motors that are purpose built for electric aircraft.
About Archer
Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. Archer’s mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. Archer's team is based in
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans and product roadmaps, including statements regarding the development, commercialization, and timelines of its aircraft certification and UAM network buildout. These forward looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, available at www.sec.gov. In addition, please note that any forward looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
Source: Archer
Text: ArcherIR
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240122331135/en/
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