Energy's challenge to aerospace

NASA's substantive involvement in energy R and D suggests that the aerospace industry as a whole is equally well placed to enter the field. This industry has demonstrated its ability to tackle sophisticated, technological developments. Moreover, aerospace processes a large stock of well-equipped laboratories and plant facilities staffed by experienced personnel; it has long been at the cutting edge of technological development; it has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to gather, organize, and disseminate vast amounts of data; and it is accustomed to dealing with government procurement and associated complex regulations. There are, moreover, three strong economic incentives for the aerospace industry to direct its skills to the energy field. First, the industry's relatively poor return on investment over the last decade points to the need for diversification. Second, as already indicated, the potential size of the energy market is attractive. And third, the rising cost, coupled with the declining availability, of conventional energy resources provide a clear incentive for the vigorous pursuit of fuel efficiency.