Opinion: How Aviation Technology Is Saving The Earth

Earth Day was founded in 1970 to mobilize people to take action to save our planet. Earth Day 2023 asks us to “Invest in Our Planet,” and one of the most important investments to make is in aerospace technology.

People may not automatically equate advances in aviation and space with improving the climate, but aerospace technology is critical for the monitoring, management and mitigation of climate change disasters.

When considering the opportunities the aviation industry possesses to fight climate change, becoming carbon-neutral by reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions is usually top of mind. While aviation only accounts for about 3% of global CO₂ emissions, it is not an easy industry to decarbonize. And air travel demand is only going to continue to increase in coming years: The International Air Transport Association projects that commercial aviation passenger numbers will reach 4 billion in 2024 and 8.2 billion by 2037.

While efficiency improvements in recent years have brought the environmental impact down to less than the increase in flights alone would have indicated, we need to continue to invest in sustainable aviation fuel and electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen-fueled aircraft. These technologies face many challenges in entering the market, but we are beginning to see success cases in companies such as ZeroAvia, which has developed a hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion system that produces zero emissions and is suitable for mass adoption.

The benefits of electric aircraft go beyond passenger jets. The development of commercial electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles is driving innovation in electric motor and battery technology that could have broad application in the transportation sector. The widespread use of uncrewed air vehicles (UAV) promises to reduce reliance on ground transportation. While widespread use may seem far off, changes in regulation and the emergence of companies such as AnyMile, a comprehensive platform enabling fleet efficiencies, will make deliveries by drone commonplace by 2024. Taken together, the advanced air mobility market size is predicted to hit $1.5 trillion by 2024, according to Morgan Stanley.

Drones also play a significant role in the management and mitigation of climate change disasters. They are used to gather essential real-time data, and with the rapid evolution of computer vision and sensors, they are providing unique insights unavailable from any other source. UAVs enable a more efficient use of often limited resources and the delivery of relief supplies when roads have become inaccessible. They help to prevent wildfires and other catastrophes by monitoring critical infrastructure such as power lines and dams. And they make us more resilient: UAVs used in agriculture boost crop health and output, helping to address the rising food insecurity that comes with climate change.

And looking to space, to the near-real-time global observation capabilities and forecasting potential unlocked by digital twins, opportunities are available for the aerospace industry, too. More accessible and more affordable launch capability is needed greatly. More than 160 satellites are measuring climate change indicators today, but that number is growing rapidly; satellite constellations are expected to increase by 10X over the decade. In expanding space capabilities, the aerospace industry increases global resiliency as well.

None of these things—energy transition, advanced air mobility, increasing access to space—are easy, but this is where we need to be investing to protect our planet and our future. A mature innovation ecosystem is needed to sustain this technology development and integration and to drive any sort of change at scale. At Starburst Aerospace, we show our commitment to this mission by building the ecosystems that support groundbreaking technology and a more robust industry. With challenge comes opportunity, and we are excited for the possibilities.

Elizabeth Reynolds is Starburst Aero’s managing director in the U.S.

The views expressed are not necessarily those of Aviation Week.