About Transformational Tools and Technologies (TTT)

About TTT

Transformational Tools and Technologies

The Transformational Tools and Technologies (TTT) project conducts cutting-edge, foundational research and delivers impactful solutions that are vital to NASA’s missions in aviation and space. TTT advances the state of the art by integrating innovative methods and world-class computational, experimental, and flight capabilities to transform aerospace engineering and discover the future of flight.

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How TTT Approaches NASA’s Challenges

TTT applies agile, innovative thinking when tackling NASA’s near- and long-term challenges ahead and formulating solutions to drive innovation and discovery. NASA’s decades of leadership in developing computational and physics-based methods used to address NASA’s challenges are now enhanced by advances in high-end computing, machine learning, and AI.

Researchers Ben Simmons, left, and Greg Howland, right, upload software changes in real time to the Research Aircraft for electric Vertical takeoff and landing Enabling techNologies Subscale Wind Tunnel and Flight Test at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia on Aug. 8, 2024, during testing in the 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel.

NASA/David C. Bowman

Technical Excellence and Design Acceleration

TTT accelerates the design cycle by integrating computational, experimental, and flight test excellence to enable real-time analysis, quick redesign, and rapid testing iterations. The project applies its robust engineering methods and unique test capabilities across multiple disciplines to reveal intricate physics for complex systems. The results deliver the knowledge that aerospace engineers need to solve challenges for both aeronautics and space exploration efforts.

Christopher Bennett, left, and Jason Kirk are seen in an Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch laboratory at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, discussing computer code that is part of Aviary, a new digital modeling tool that helps engineers innovate new aircraft designs.

NASA

Materials and Manufacturing Innovation

TTT’s revolutionary approach results in breakthrough materials such as GRX-810, Nickel-based superalloys, and shape memory alloys by leveraging the latest development in computational materials modeling, machine learning, and additive manufacturing. The project also strengthens U.S. competitiveness in aerospace by using efficient methods for materials discovery and innovative approaches to advance the manufacturing and certification of various materials vital to the aerospace industry. TTT’s data-driven and physics-based approaches create materials databases that can interface with machine learning algorithms and computational materials methods.

A NASA insignia, also known as the meatball, is being 3D printed and appears to be green in its printing chamber with a bright laser flash in the upper right-hand corner.

The NASA insignia is 3D printed using the GRX-810 superalloy.

Credit: NASA/Jordan Salkin

Innovative solutions through foundational research and cross-cutting methods

Propulsion and Energy Exploration

TTT explores how advanced hybrid electric propulsion systems can enable new aircraft designs that will increase options for regional air travel while remaining economically competitive with existing travel options. The project leverages NASA expertise in controls, electrical systems, propulsion research, advanced motors and drives, and thermal management to investigate
unique propulsion airframe integrations for next-generation electrified aircraft. TTT collaborates with emerging U.S. companies to research new airframe designs that will revolutionize future airline operations. These partnerships can improve the public’s flying experience by allowing more convenient, affordable, and quiet air travel out of smaller, local airports with minimal layovers.

A cross-section render showing the inside of a turbofan engine. The words “LP motor/generator” and “HP motor/generator” are written with arrows pointing to each part that is highlighted in red.

Artist’s rendering of an advanced geared turbofan with electric machines.

NASA

Community Building

TTT maintains robust partnerships with industry, academia, and other government agencies to advance its research goals and discover ground-breaking, transformative solutions. The project leads vision studies, leveraging the aerospace community to evaluate the most critical challenges impacting the future of aviation. The vision studies generate a prioritized list of potential high-value research that is appropriate for NASA, guided by input from the aerospace community on what is needed to revolutionize aviation.

A group of 42 researchers stand on a staircase inside a building to pose for a group photo.

The One NASA Boeing Team, a collaborative partnership between NASA and Boeing, meets at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia on December 13, 2023, to share information on recent research around the High Lift Common Research Model and collaborate on next steps and the path forward.

NASA

TTT’s Impact

Many of the project’s breakthroughs and discoveries in these areas are making impacts around the world and delivering significant value for the aerospace community and the Nation. TTT’s mission includes ensuring its technologies are adopted across NASA and industry to drive aerospace and aviation innovation forward.

Darren Tinker, left, from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and Tim Smith, from the agency’s Glenn Research Center, inspect the GRX-810 nozzle and injector following hot-fire testing in 2023 at Marshall.

NASA/Paul Gradl