Abstract
This paper reviews all engine noise research conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center over the last 70 years. The review includes a historical perspective of the center and the facilities used to conduct the research. Major NASA noise research programs are highlighted, showing their impact on the industry and on the development of aircraft noise reduction technology. Noise reduction trends are discussed, and future aircraft concepts are presented. Results show that, since the 1960s, the average perceived noise level has been reduced by about 20 dB. Studies show that, depending on the size of the airport, the aircraft fleet mix, and the actual growth in air travel, another 15–17 dB is required to achieve NASA’s long-term goal of providing technologies to limit objectionable noise to the boundaries of an average airport.
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Acknowledgments
Thanks goes to the hundreds of people at NASA Glenn Research Center that since the early 1950s have dedicated their professional careers to improving the quality of life near the world’s airports by developing technologies for reducing engine noise. What is often not obvious to the general public is the amount of time it takes to conduct tests across multiple shifts over long periods of time (months to years) without a break. The dedication of the test teams comes with a sacrifice to their personal lives and families. The analytical work has attracted the finest theoreticians in the world to either work directly at the center or to visit the center to collaborate on cutting edge research. Thanks also go to the academic and industry partners who have helped NASA advance and utilize the state of the art technologies in their products.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 2 • April 2013
Pages: 218 - 250
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 30, 2012
Accepted: Oct 10, 2012
Published online: Oct 12, 2012
Published in print: Apr 1, 2013
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