The previous year in aerospace was filled with exciting advancements that made it challenging to narrow down the top five. From the increase in sustainable and eco-friendly aviation to the overall expansion in public and private space innovations, 2024 marked a turning point for the future of flight technology. The most notable breakthroughs included a hydrogen-powered flying taxi, a rocket plane capable of reaching outer space, commercial astronauts conducting spacewalks, the potential revival of supersonic air travel, and a mission launched to search for life beyond the asteroid belt.
(Editor’s Note: This is a section from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Make sure to check out 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
Flying has often been associated with carbon emissions and the hassle of airport security. However, Joby Aviation’s hydrogen-powered air taxi offers a clean and efficient solution. By utilizing a cutting-edge liquid hydrogen fuel system, Joby has extended the range of its electric vertical takeoff aircraft well beyond the initial 150 miles on battery power. In a remarkable feat, they conducted a 523-mile test flight in July, showcasing the potential for redefining regional travel. Coincidentally, in October, the FAA introduced a new category of civilian aircraft, paving the way for air taxis to become as common as helicopters in our daily lives.
Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft by Dawn Aerospace: A rapidly reusable spacecraft
One of the major hurdles in commercializing space travel has been the high costs associated with launches. Dawn Aerospace’s Mk-II Aurora addresses this challenge by combining rocket-powered performance with the operational flexibility of an aircraft. While still in the testing phase, the Aurora is designed for rapid reusability, allowing it to complete multiple flights in a single day. This advancement is crucial in making commercial space travel as accessible and efficient as commercial aviation. The Aurora’s innovative design enables it to take off from standard runways without the need for exclusive airspace, making it suitable for applications such as atmospheric research, Earth observation, and microgravity experiments. As a technology demonstrator, it lays the groundwork for future development, potentially proving that the sky is no longer the limit for runway-based flight.
Polaris Dawn spacewalk by SpaceX: First EVA by private astronauts
Picture stepping out of your spacecraft into the vast expanse of space, uncharted and limitless—no government agency guiding your every move, just you, your crew, and the infinite cosmos. That’s precisely what the Polaris Dawn team accomplished on September 12th with the first-ever commercial spacewalk. By venturing into space without the safety net of governmental oversight, the Polaris Dawn mission has ushered in a future where space exploration is not limited to governments but open to private enterprises and, potentially, everyday adventurers. The Polaris Dawn spacewalk also tested SpaceX’s new EVA suits, demonstrating that private companies can develop and deploy the necessary technology for human survival in outer space.
