NASA says its experimental electric X-57 airplane has taken a major step toward its maiden flight following successful tests of a critical component. In a recent blog post, NASA explained that thermal testing of the cruise motor controllers is vital “because it validates the design, operability, and workmanship quality of the controllers.” The controllers were recently put through their paces inside a test chamber at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Temperatures inside the chamber were set at a level to replicate what the X-57 could experience in flight: minus 11 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Having confirmed the ability of the controllers to handle the challenging temperatures, NASA’s X-57 team is now moving toward combining all of the plane’s systems to ensure they’re able to function as one. #nasa #electricplanes #electricplane #nasax57 #airplane #electricairplane #x57plane #nasaaero #nasaaeronautics