Three Pillars for Success

NASA’s Response to Achieve the National Priorities in

Aeronautics and Space Transportation

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Message from the NASA Administrator . . pg 1

Pillar One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 2

Global Civil Aviation: NASA’s objectives for

improving air transportation system safety,

affordability, and environmental compatibility

include technology for a ten-fold improvement in the

safety of flight, a 50% reduction in the cost of air

travel, and equally aggressive reductions in aircraft

noise and emissions over the next 20 years. 

Pillar Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 4

Revolutionary Technology Leaps: NASA will pioneer

high-risk technology for revolutionizing air travel and

the way in which aircraft are designed, built, and

operated. Reducing overseas travel time by 50%,

expanding the general aviation market, and

decreasing aircraft concept-to-certification cycle time

by 50% are the technology goals.

Pillar Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 6

Access to Space: Low-cost space access is the key to

unleashing the commercial potential of space and

greatly expanding space research and exploration.

Through integration of aeronautical principles with

commercial launch vehicles, a ten-fold reduction in

the cost of placing payloads in low-Earth orbit is

anticipated within the next decade. An additional

ten-fold cost reduction in the decade beyond is the farterm goal for low-cost space access.

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 8

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 8

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pg 9
Aviation has always been an exciting and risk-taking endeavor. With a strong partnership among industry,

government, and academia, there has been an incredible history of innovation and technological breakthroughs. As

we enter the 21st century, we in the aerospace community are excited about the future.

Leading the world in flight—in the air as well as in space—has a profound impact on our Nation, socially,

economically, and politically. Unbelievable discoveries are right over the horizon, but to achieve them requires an

ambitious view of the future and a willingness to take risks. As the Administrator of NASA, my responsibility to the

American public is to ensure that NASA’s work in science and technology sustains U.S. leadership in civil

aeronautics and space.

My challenge to NASA’s Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology Enterprise to set bold objectives for the

future is answered in the next few pages. The goals that follow are dramatic—they are pre-competitive research endeavors in long-term, high-risk,

high-payoff technologies. I emphasize the NASA role in these terms because the Government must look to the future in pivotal areas that our private

sector cannot afford to address due to the sheer scale, risk, and duration of the task. Industry’s responsibility is to maintain their near-term

competitiveness through evolutionary advancements to their products. NASA’s responsibility is to provide revolutionary advancements that protect U.S.

leadership for future generations. The impact of NASA’s research on our national air transportation system, our national security, the environment,

and our economy demonstrates a clear government role in support of the public good. 

Our goals reflect national priorities for aeronautics and space as outlined by the National Science and Technology Council in a series of three

aeronautics reports and in the National Space Policy. Today, more than ever, we must ensure the relevance of our national investments. The value of

our work to the U.S. taxpayer is the extent to which we add to the economic well-being and security of this country. I have no doubt that both the

commercial and defense sectors of U.S. industry will continue to draw benefits from our national facilities, and the tools and technologies we develop.

An extensive strategic planning process, guided by the National Research Council, provided an independent validation of our program directions and

emphases.

We group our goals into three areas, or “Three Pillars,” which are: “Global Civil Aviation,” “Revolutionary Technology Leaps,” and “Access to Space.”

Throughout the pillars we present “technology goals” which are framed in terms of a final outcome, the anticipated benefit of NASA-developed

t e c h n o l o g y, once it has been incorporated by industry. These goals will stretch the boundaries of our knowledge and capabilities. They require taking

risks and performing the long-term research and development programs needed to keep the United States as the global leader in aeronautics and space.

In accomplishing these goals, we can look forward to aircraft that are compatible with our environment and fly with a near perfect safety record, using

an aviation system that provides rapid, affordable, dependable service for all. I believe flying will become as convenient in our personal lives as the

automobile and integral to the way we do business. Low-cost access to space will stimulate advances in science, commerce, and exploration in ways

we cannot imagine today.

Taking prudent risks and looking at radical departures from the way we do business today are essential to tomorrow’s survival. I am excited about the

Enterprise’s goals and proud to be a part of the NASA team and this important work. As Administrator, I will see to it that we pursue our goals

aggressively and that the benefits of our national investments are shared by all segments of our society.

Daniel S. Goldin

March 1997

1

Message from the NASA Administrator

Presidential

Reports on

Aeronautics

March 1985 February 1987 August 1995
Safety

Our global society is highly dependent on air transportation. Great

strides have been made over the last 40 years to make flying the safest of

all the major modes of transportation. However, even today’s low accident rate is not good enough. If air traffic triples as predicted, this rate

will be totally unacceptable. The impact on domestic and international

travel will have economic consequences well beyond the American transportation sector. Dramatic steps, through joint FAA, DOD, and NASA

research, will assure unquestioned safety for the traveling public.

Even as more technology finds its way into the cockpit, human beings

still make the critical flight decisions. Because a high percentage of

accidents are related to human error, research emphasis on humanrelated factors will make significant contributions toward flight safety.

Continued research on the complex interactions of flight crews with

ground controllers, with cockpit technology, and with the aircraft will

provide the insight needed to design error-tolerant systems.

New technologies for improved situational awareness will dramatically

increase air system safety. A global air traffic management system to

prevent collisions with other aircraft and terrain, and sensors to detect

weather hazards will be major advancements. Also needed are on-board

monitoring systems to predict, detect, and correct potential malfunctions, and other technologies to assure the integrity of aging aircraft.

Environmental Compatibility

Although aircraft produce only a small fraction of the world’s air pollution compared to other sources, it is in the best interest of our nation to

protect the environment. The United States must demonstrate leadership in setting and meeting challenging environmental goals for

aircraft. We believe there are technological solutions that will significantly reduce aircraft emissions that contribute to global warming and

ozone depletion, even as travel volume increases.

In joint research ventures with industry, we are pursuing innovative

engine technologies that will lead to cleaner-burning and higher-efficiency engines, providing American industry with the ability to meet

increasingly strict international standards.

Both of these environmental goals have the requirement to 

without affecting safety or affordability

Affordable Air Travel

Airlines and businesses lose billions of dollars annually fro

lost productivity due to weather and congestion in our seve

strained airspace system.

In the next two decades 12,000 new commercial airplanes 

required to accommodate the projected growth in travel an

older aircraft. Joint NASA and FAA research into unrestricte

ing, or “Free Flight,” will allow more aircraft to safely shar

under adverse weather conditions. Free Flight will improve 

affordability by increasing flight dependability and reducin

at the busiest airports. If new technologies could shave jus

utes off every commercial flight today, it would provide add

capacity equivalent to another major airline.

For the aircraft manufacturers, a major challenge is to reve

of increasing aircraft ownership and operating costs. Dram

cost savings in development, production, and certification a

NASA’s test facilities and core expertise in materials, structu

namics, propulsion, analytical methods, and computationa

key elements in helping to revolutionize aircraft design an

turing. NASA’s research efforts will focus on innovative des

techniques and structural concepts to enable the U.S. avia

to significantly advance today’s state of the art for aircraft a

Only by increasing air system capacity and reducing aircra

air travel become more affordable.

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Reduce the co

travel by 25% within 10 years, and by 50% 

20 years.

■ Enabling Technology Goal: While maintain

safety, triple the aviation system throughp

weather conditions, within 10 years.

noise levels of future aircraft by a factor 

from today’s subsonic aircraft within 10 y

and by a factor of four within 20 years.*

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Reduce emissions of

future aircraft by a factor of three within 10 years,

and by a factor of five within 20 years.

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Reduce the aircraft

accident rate by a factor of five within 10 years,

and by a factor of 10 within 20 years.

2

easily accessible,

easily utilized, safe,

affordable travel

with minimal

environmental

impact. Customer

demands will drive

air travel systems,

services, and

products.

* A factor of 2 reduction in perceived noise is about 10 EPNdB and 4 
3

Reduced

Aircraft Noise 

by 20 EPNdB

Reduce

Accident Rate

by a Factor of 10 

Reduced

Aircraft Noise 

by 20 EPNdB

Reduce

Accident Rate

by a Factor of 10 

Tiltrotor for Urban Accessibility

Test Facilities:

Critical National Assets

Advanced Crew Interface Designs

to Improve Performance for Safe Air Travel
affordable levels and do so without harming our environment.

Since the sound barrier was broken 50 years ago, most modern fighter

aircraft have the capability to fly faster than the speed of sound. However,

today’s supersonic engines cannot meet international standards for a

clean and quiet community. To bring this capability to commercial air

travel, a number of technical barriers must be overcome.

Among NASA’s technology goals for removing the environmental and

economic barriers are: (1) quiet supersonic engines able to meet

subsonic aircraft noise standards; (2) clean supersonic engines with

emissions 75 percent lower than today’s aircraft; and (3) low-cost

materials and structural concepts for affordability. The result will

revolutionize overseas air travel.

General Aviation Revitalization

The general aviation segment of air travel, which includes privately

owned aircraft, has tremendous potential for growth if a number of

technical issues are solved. At its peak in 1978, the U.S. general aviation

industry delivered 17,811 aircraft. In 1996, the number of aircraft

delivered had fallen to 1,132 Along with a critical tort reform in 1994,

the technology innovations anticipated for general aviation will

revitalize this industry.

In 1994, NASA embarked on a unique government-industry-university

partnership to make dramatic improvements in future general aviation

aircraft, engines, and flight training for the next generation of four-tosix-seat, single-engine light planes. This technology revolution will

feature fail-safe avionics and ultra-reliable engines, substantially

increasing light-plane safety and affordability.

A second partnership, initiated in 1996, is uniting propulsion

manufacturers, airframe makers, other industries, and government to

develop and demonstrate new propulsion systems that are significantly

more reliable, maintainable, and affordable. Future piston engines will

cost approximately 50 percent less than today’s engines, and nextgeneration turbofan-powered aircraft will fly 100 mph faster than

today’s light planes.

contributing to every technology goal.

Experimental aircraft are invaluable tools for explorin

and for complementing and strengthening laboratory 

very demanding environment of flight, “X-planes” ar

innovative, high-risk concepts, accelerating their deve

design and technology applications.

Since World War II, NASA and DOD have conducted li

joint flight research programs, most notably the X-pla

many other experimental and operational aircraft. N

increase and improve the use of X-planes as a researc

reduce technology development schedules and cost. T

partnership on the X-36 is an example of this approac

tailless subscale experimental aircraft that will drama

design of future stealth fighters. Its revolutionary des

fraction of the cost and schedule typical of other X-air

NASA has initiated the Hyper-X program to validate hy

breathing vehicle and engine design methods in fligh

demonstrate hydrogen-fueled, airframe-integrated, du

and scramjet propulsion, with flight tests at 5, 7, and 

of sound. This technology will have application in bo

space access systems.

The pioneering spirit at work in the X-1 and X-15 pro

recaptured through the renewed emphasis of X-plane

breakthrough work accomplished by these projects wi

country forward with an improved base of technical k

In addition to the tools of flight, next-generation des

revolutionize the aviation industry. Design was once 

lead to paper. Research in information technology w

power of computing tools through fuzzy logic and ar

intelligence. These tools will integrate multidisciplin

linking design, operations, and training databases to 

design cycle times.

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Provide ne

generation design tools and experime

to increase design confidence, and cu

development cycle time for aircraft in 

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Reduce the travel

time to the Far East and Europe by 50 percent

within 20 years, and do so at today’s subsonic

ticket prices.

4

mentally friendly

transoceanic

supersonic flights;

technology to

dramatically improve

small aircraft

designs, engines, and

overall affordability.
5

Advanced Design for 

General Aviation Aircraft

NASA Advanced Computational

Research Facilities 

Hyper-X: 

Airbreathing Propulsion

Research to Mach 10

X-36 

Tailless 

Stealth 

Fighter Prototype

The High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) 

Will Revolutionize Overseas Travel

Computational View of Complex

Aerodynamics on an F-18
Without affordable and reliable access to space, the future of the space

program is hindered by the high cost, low reliability, and poor

operability of payload launch. The United States, as well as the rest of

world, is struggling with this situation today. The cost of space access is

roughly $10,000 per pound of payload delivered to low-Earth orbit. The

growth of an otherwise dynamic, creative, and productive U.S. space

enterprise is severely impeded by this daunting price tag. 

Government space access needs are only a part of the growing U.S.

space enterprise. Corporate and university-sponsored research, space

business development, in-space manufacturing for pharmaceutical and

electronic products, and the U.S. space transportation industry are all

impacted by the current costs. 

In the last 25 years, the U.S. has developed one major launch vehicle

and rocket engine. In the same time frame, other nations have developed 27 rocket engines and many more launch vehicles. Our launchers,

once preeminent, now supply only 30 percent of the worldwide commercial market. In the world’s rapidly expanding launch business, the U.S.

continues to lose market share. 

To realize the potential for research and commerce in space, America

must achieve one imperative, overarching goal—affordable access to

space. The space transportation industry can benefit significantly from

the transfer of aviation technologies and flight operations to launch

vehicles. High reliability and rapid turn-around are the first steps to

increased confidence in delivering payloads on time with fewer ground

crew.

Revolutionizing America’s 

Space Launch Capabilities

NASA, in an unprecedented partnership with aerospace companies, is

working to maximize the respective strengths of government and the

aerospace industry. NASA’s primary space transportation technology role

is to develop and demonstrate pre-competitive, next-generation technology that will enable the commercial launch industry to develop

full-scale, highly competitive, and reliable space launchers.

will test improvements made through knowledge gained 

Clipper Graham and additional advanced technologies a

reusable launchers. The air-launched X-34 focuses on th

up to Mach 8.

A major decision point was reached in the summer of 19

with building the X-33 flight demonstrator. This suborbi

a single-stage-to-orbit vehicle will feature vertical takeoff 

landings using its lifting-body shape. It will be pilotless, 

autonomous controls for operation, but capable of testin

systems in a realistic flight environment. It is scheduled 

tests in March 1999, and will demonstrate reliability thro

flights. The objective is to achieve a reliability of 0.999 w

around measured in days, not weeks.

Far-Term Space Transportation Techno

NASA has also initiated research on a broader spectrum o

technology advancements that have the potential to redu

beyond the RLV goals. It involves new technologies and i

aeronautical principles such as air-breathing propulsion 

structures. This will enable a cost to orbit measured in h

thousands, of dollars per pound.

Advanced research and development efforts will address a 

need for order-of-magnitude cost reductions in three key t

areas: (1) advanced reusable propulsion technology for f

cial RLVs and beyond; (2) small payload launch technolo

businesses and academic research; and (3) advanced spac

nology for placing satellites into high-Earth and geostatio

Winning the Revolution in Space Acce

America can, and must, achieve radical reductions in the 

space. We can do it in years, not decades, and we must be

are to succeed in realizing the benefits that leadership in 

will bring. We must also achieve our goals without sacrif

reliability. When successful, we will open the doors to spa

enable exploration-class missions, and protect our nation

Entrepreneurs, scientists, students, explorers, and many o

active participants in an exciting era of space developme

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Reduce the p

cost to low-Earth orbit by an additional 

magnitude, from $1,000’s to $100’s per 

by 2020.

■ Enabling Technology Goal: Reduce the payload

cost to low-Earth orbit by an order of magnitude,

from $10,000 to $1,000 per pound, within 10 years.

6

initiative is a

partnership for space

launch leadership of

NASA and private

industry and

represents a new

way of doing

business.
7

Future Reusable Launch Vehicle 

Delivering a Scientific Experiment Payload

Advanced Propulsion Research Vehicle

to Revolutionize Space Access

Magnetohydrodynamic

Drive Research

Advanced Mars Transportation X-34 Air Launch Research Vehicle

Advanced Propulsion Research Vehicle

to Revolutionize Space Access

Magnetohydrodynamic

Drive Research
The Presidential reports on aeronautics and the revised “National Space Policy” (1996) outline U.S. policies and

actions needed for continued leadership in aeronautics and space. Providing revolutionary new tools and

technology advancements is NASA’s response to our Nation’s needs. The technology goals within the three pillars

were developed in collaboration with our industry partners, the Department of Defense, the Federal Av i a t i o n

Administration, and academia. 

Achieving our goals lays a foundation for immeasurable opportunities for the United States. The Nation’s

investment in NASA will be returned many times over through enabling technologies for a safer, cleaner, and

more affordable global aviation system; for sustainable growth in aviation products and services; and for

affordable access to space. 

Our agenda for action has already begun through the definition of goals for our “Three Pillars.” We are now

working with our partners in FAA, DOD, industry, and academia to refine the research plans that will lead to the

achievement of our final goals. 

Many of NASA’s programs in aeronautics and space transportation technology are already positioned to address

these goals, although some changes to our programs are required. One key example is NASA’s plan to intensify

efforts in aviation safety research in response to the recommendations of the White House Commission on

Aviation Safety and Security.

NASA has set its sights for the future. The goals in our Three Pillars are bold and they are measurable. With the

expertise of our workforce, our unique research facilities, and our strong partnerships, our goals are achievable.

8

Summary

Acknowledgments:

Mr. Philip M. Condit

The Boeing Company

Mr. Norman R. Augustine

Lockheed Martin 

Mr. Harry C. Stonecipher

McDonnell Douglas Corporation

Mr. Eugene F. Murphy

General Electric Aircraft Engines

Mr. Karl J. Krapek

Pratt & Whitney

Mr. Kent Kresa

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Mr. John A. McLuckey

Boeing North American

Mr. David L. Burner

The B.F. Goodrich Corporation

Dr. John K. Lauber

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Dr. John H. Gibbons

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Dr. George L. Donohue

Federal Aviation Administration

Mr. George Singley, III

Department of Defense

Dr. Robert E. Whitehead

NASA Associate Administrator for

Aeronautics and Space Transportation

Technology

Dr. Henry McDonald, Director

NASA Ames Research Center

Mr. Kenneth J. Szalai, Director

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Dr. Jeremiah F. Creedon, Director

NASA Langley Research Center

Mr. Donald J. Campbell, Director

NASA Lewis Research Center

Special Thanks 

to the Following:

Mr. James A. Blackwell, Jr.

Lockheed Martin

Mr. Corbett D. Caudill

General Electric Aircraft Engines

Dr. Thomas E. Cooper

General Electric Aircraft Engines

Dr. Leslie M. Lackmann

Boeing North American 

Mr. Bartley P. Osborne, Jr.

Lockheed Martin

Mr. James M. Sinnett

McDonnell Douglas Corporation

Mr. Robert E. Spitzer

The Boeing Company

Mr. Jon E. Wohler

Pratt & Whitney

National Research Council’s

Aeronautics and Space Engineering

Board

Science Applications International

Corporation

The Futures Group

“ N A S A’s support of basic, fundamental aeronautics research helped

establish America as the world’s leader in this field. As a result, one can

now travel around the globe more safely, quickly, and at less cost than

ever before. It is absolutely critical that we continue to support this

important NASA program.”

The Honorable John Glenn

United States Senator
gpy

National Aeronautical R&D Goals:

Technology for America’s Future

Executive Office of the President

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Washington, D.C.

March 1985

National Aeronautical R&D Goals:

Agenda for Achievement

Executive Office of the President

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Washington, D.C.

February 1987

Achieving Aeronautics Leadership: 

Aeronautics Strategic Enterprise Plan 1995–2000

Office of Aeronautics

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, D.C.

April 1995

Comments on this brochure are appreciated. 

We look forward to your feedback.

To contact us, or for more information on the Aeronautics and

Space Transportation Technology Enterprise, please visit our

Web site at: 

http://www.aero.hq.nasa.gov/

Goals for a National Partnership 

in Aeronautics Research and Technology

Executive Office of the President

Office of Science and Technology Policy

National Science and Technology Council

Washington, D.C.

August 1995

Maintaining U.S. Leadership in Aeronautics: 

Scenario-Based Strategic Planning for 

NASA’s Aeronautics Enterprise

National Research Council

Washington, D.C.

January 1997

Final Report of the White House Commission 

on Aviation Safety and Security

Executive Office of the President

Washington, D.C.

February 1997