A moonshot moment for jet flight, to be ‘used for the progress of all people’

The commercial aviation community is at a crossroads and has turned to NASA research and industry leaders to find a way forward. Global research has shown that commercial flights (freight and people) are responsible for 6% of the world’s CO2 and carbon-monoxide pollution, yet that same industry is responsible for only 1% of commerce and less than 0.01% of human carbon-based movement across the planet. Adding to the environmental impact, planes’ pollution is released at altitude, away from trees and oceans that could absorb some of it before it further damages the upper atmosphere.

Kennedy’s speech from 60 years ago has given them a well-proven path forward: “…we are behind, and will be behind for some time in manned flight. But we do not intend to stay behind, and in this decade, we shall make up and move ahead… We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people.”

Industry giants, like GE Aviation have stated, “we are fully committed to decarbonization… the goal of a net-zero company by 2050, including emissions for all our products.”

BP, Elf, ESSO, Safran, Petronas and many other suppliers to the aviation community have stated they want to become net-zero emitters by then as well.

How? They are attacking the problem in stages, exactly as the U.S. space program did.

Mercury, Gemini, Apollo capsules and launch systems were all incremental developments. You could not go to the moon straight off.

First you had to learn how to get into space, then orbit, then navigate and “fly” in space and lastly to get to the moon and return. The environment was harsh, the thousands of unheard-of-before machinery all needed to be invented (for example the CAT scan was invented to “see” into the spun aluminum Apollo capsule for cracks).

So, too, for the aviation industry. Biofuel, modifications to existing fleets’ engines to take the new fuel, with new engine development already showing a 20% increase in fuel efficiency. New manufacturing techniques including bubble chamber “printing” presses to make unheard of shapes for combustion blades, new alloys and ceramic matrix composites to allow higher temperatures and lighter engines, electric propulsion units, new battery systems and production, hydrogen fuel systems (exhaust of these is water), new aerodynamic shapes and skin coatings, and the evolution of the 1985 un-ducted engine now renamed open-rotor engines.

These are just the beginning. Like the thousands of Apollo moments in space innovation for the benefit of all mankind, so, too, the fixes to the pollution problem being tackled by commercial aviation will benefit us all, in every walk of life, even if you never step aboard that plane again.

 

Peter Riva, a former resident of Amenia Union, now lives in New Mexico.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Legal Notices - May 21, 2026

Legal Notices - May 21, 2026

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Name: Bluestem Fieldworks LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on March 6, 2026 Office Location: Dutchess County, NY. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less

Classifieds - May 21, 2026

Classifieds - May 21, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

DENTAL ASSISTANT, Part Time: Tuesday to Friday, for exclusive private practice in Sharon, CT. Flexible schedule and hours, competitive salary. 860-364-0200, office@
drnweeia.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car crash blocks traffic on Old Route 22

A white Subaru sits on Old Route 22 after a collision with a Volkswagen at the intersection of Powder House Road and Old Route 22 in Amenia on Tuesday, May 19.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — A car crash closed the intersection of Powder House Road and Old Route 22 for an hour Tuesday, May 19.

A white Subaru and a grey Volkswagen collided on Old Route 22 shortly after 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. Dutchess County Sheriff's deputies on scene said the drivers were transported to the hospital with injuries but are in stable condition.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Trade Secrets: a glamorous garden event with a deeper mission

Heavy stone garden ornaments, a specialty of Judy Milne Antiques from Kingston, at Trade Secrets 2025.

Christine Bates

Tucked away on Porter Street in downtown Lakeville, Project SAGE is an unassuming building from a street view. But cross the threshold a week before Trade Secrets — one of the region’s biggest gardening events, long associated with Martha Stewart and glamorous plants of all varieties — and you’ll find a bustling world of employees and volunteers getting ready for the organization’s most important event of the year.

“It’s not usually like this,’ laughed Project SAGE director Kristen van Ginhoven. “But with Trade Secrets just around the corner, it’s definitely like this.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Two artists, two Hartford stages, one shared life

Caroline Kinsolving and Gary Capozzielo at home in Salisbury with their dogs, Petruchio and Beatrice

Provided
"He played his violin, I worked on my lines, we walked the dog, and suddenly we were circling each other perfectly."
Caroline Kinsolving

Actor Caroline Kinsolving and violinist Gary Capozziello enjoy their quiet life with their two dogs in Salisbury, yet are often pulled apart to perform on distant stages in far-flung cities. Currently, the planets have aligned, and both are working in Hartford, across Bushnell Park from one another. Bridgewater native Kinsolving is starring in “Circus Fire,” the current production of TheaterWorks Hartford, while Capozziello is a violinist and assistant concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. While Kinsolving hates being away from home, she feels the distance nourishes their relationship.

“We are guardians of each other’s confidence and self-esteem,” she said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Summer exhibition opens at Wassaic Project

Nate King, “When I Was Younger And Now That I’m Older,” 2026, Digital projection, digital animation, photography.

photo courtesy Nate King

The Wassaic Project, the 8,000-square-foot, seven-story former grain elevator transformed into a vibrant arts space, opens its 2026 Summer Exhibition, “Because, now is the time of monsters,” on Saturday, May 16, from 3-6 p.m. at Maxon Mills, launching a season-long presentation featuring 39 artists working across installation, performance, video and sculpture.

The opening celebration will include an afternoon of exhibitions and live programming throughout the historic mill building and its surrounding spaces. Gallery and Art Nest hours run from 12-6 p.m., with special presentations scheduled throughout the day.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.