Aerospace & Defense Technology - June 2024 - 40

Application Briefs
develop the most capable, diverse, and resilient overhead
constellation in its history.
" All of our missions are important, but this one feels even
more special, " said Dr. Chris Scolese, director of the NRO.
" The launch of the final Delta IV Heavy marks the end of one
era and the beginning of a new one. As our mission needs
evolve, we are excited to be developing innovative partnerships
that allow for new launch vehicles and new launch
locations. This will enhance our resilience by providing
more options for putting critical capabilities into orbit. "
The Delta IV Heavy was built by United Launch Alliance, a
joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Twelve
of these rockets have carried NRO missions, starting with
NROL-26, which launched from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 17,
2009. During the NRO's 15-year history with the Delta IV
Heavy, seven missions, including NROL-70, launched from
Cape Canaveral; and five missions launched from Vandenberg
Space Force Base in California, the most recent being
NROL-91 in 2022.
The broader Delta program began in the late 1950s and
launched its first space vehicle in August 1960. " Launching the
last Delta IV is bittersweet for me, " said Col. Eric Zarybnisky, Director
of NRO's Office of Space Launch. " I was part of the NROL-22
team that launched the first Delta IV for the NRO. Since that time,
the Delta IV has put amazing capability on orbit for this nation. "
www.nro.gov
Lilium Starts Production of eVTOL Jet Batteries
Lilium
Munich, Germany
+49 151-539-19945
www.lilium.com
L
ilium, the Munich, Germany-based electric
vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer,
has started the production of the lithium-ion
battery packs that will power the Lilium
Jet.
According to an April 16 update, Lilium is on
track to complete its first piloted flight of the Lilium
Jet by the end of 2024. This latest milestone
represents a landmark in the development of the
Lilium Jet and follows extensive testing of battery
pack subcomponents from individual cell to
stack level with a focus on performance, safety
and regulatory conformity.
The Lilium Jet battery packs are being assembled
at the company's battery factory, located
at Lilium's headquarters outside of Munich,
with the aid of new generation digital tools
that enable process control, efficient data collection
and traceability. Lilium has been supported
in the design of the assembly line and
initial production ramp up by suppliers with
extensive experience in battery industrialization, especially
in the automotive sector.
The all-electric Lilium Jet is powered by " Ducted Electric
Vectored Thrust (DEVT), " according to the company. Under
this design, the electric jet engines are integrated into the
wing flaps to provide advantages in payload, aerodynamic
efficiency and a lower noise profile, whilst also providing
thrust vector control to maneuver the Lilium Jet through
every phase of flight.
The electric jet engines rely on a single " stage " rotor/stator
system driven by an electric motor. Additionally, the production
version of the Lilium Jet will be equipped with 10
independently functioning battery packs that are designed
40
to enable safe flight and landing, even in case of failure of
any single battery pack.
The company describes its battery back as comprised of
lithium-ion cells with silicon-dominant anodes that will
allow for higher energy, power, and fast-charging capabilities
than graphite anode cells. The battery packs are being
designed to meet EASA's aircraft safety requirements regarding
shock resistance, heat resistance, containment, and
redundancy. Lilium has secured comprehensive intellectual
property rights for its battery technology.
The first units off the battery assembly line will be used for
verification testing ahead of the Lilium Jet's first piloted flight.
www.lilium.com
mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology, June 2024
http://www.nro.gov http://www.lilium.com http://www.lilium.com http://mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology - June 2024

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