California-based Archer Aviation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are evaluating the safety of Archer’s high-performance battery cells for advanced air mobility and space applications. The partners plan to validate the technology for NASA’s mission-critical electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Archer’s batteries have already been deployed in Midnight, its air taxi designed to hold four passengers and a pilot. The NASA partnership will build on that experience with advanced safety testing, paving the way for securing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in late 2024.
The announcement cited maturing battery technology as a significant trend fueling the adoption of eVTOL aircraft. The lithium-ion battery cells used in Midnight feature a cylindrical cell form factor. This design choice has a long track record demonstrating safety, performance, and production scalability. Cylindrical cells have been deployed in millions of electric vehicles, representing a strong supply chain.
However, aircraft battery manufacturing is still in the early stages. That’s part of the motivation behind Archer’s new partnership with NASA. By proving Archer’s battery cells are safe for potential mission-critical eVTOL aerospace applications, the technology can move closer to mass production, adoption, and expansion into more markets. NASA plans to share its results with the industry.
To test the battery cells’ safety, energy, and power performance under extreme conditions, the partners will use the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, one of the world’s most advanced high-speed X-rays.
