5 aerospace breakthroughs of 2024

The aerospace industry in the past year has seen significant advancements, making it challenging to narrow down the top five. From sustainable aviation to space innovations in the public and private sectors, 2024 has been a pivotal year for flight technology. Some of the most groundbreaking developments include a hydrogen-powered flying taxi, a rocket plane capable of reaching outer space, commercial astronauts conducting spacewalks, the potential return of supersonic air travel, and a mission to search for extraterrestrial life beyond the asteroid belt.

(Editor’s Note: This is a section from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Be sure to read the full list of the 50 greatest innovations of 2024.)

Grand Award Winner

Hydrogen-electric VTOL air taxi by Joby: Fly from Boston to Washington without visiting an airport and with no emissions

The Joby Aviation hydrogen-powered air taxi presents a clean and efficient solution to traditional air travel challenges. By utilizing a cutting-edge liquid hydrogen fuel system, Joby has significantly increased the range of its electric vertical takeoff aircraft. A successful 523-mile test flight in July demonstrated the potential for regional travel redefined by this technology. The FAA’s introduction of a new category of civilian aircraft in October further paves the way for air taxis to become a common mode of transportation in the future.

Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft by Dawn Aerospace: A rapidly reusable spacecraft

Dawn Aerospace’s Mk-II Aurora aims to address the high launch costs associated with commercial space travel by offering a rapidly reusable spacecraft. The Aurora is designed to demonstrate rapid reusability, allowing for multiple flights in a single day. This advancement is crucial in making commercial space travel as efficient and accessible as commercial aviation. Its ability to take off from standard runways without requiring exclusive airspace makes it suitable for various applications, including atmospheric research, Earth observation, and microgravity experiments, setting the stage for further advancements in runway-based flight beyond traditional limitations.

Polaris Dawn spacewalk by SpaceX: First EVA by private astronauts

The Polaris Dawn team made history with the first-ever commercial spacewalk, showcasing private astronauts venturing into space without governmental oversight. This mission signals a shift towards a future where space exploration is not limited to government agencies but open to private enterprises and potentially individual adventurers. The spacewalk also tested SpaceX’s new EVA suits, demonstrating that private companies can develop and deploy technology necessary for human survival in space.

X-59 Quiet Supersonic Transport by NASA and Lockheed Martin: A return to supersonic air travel 

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