JAXA is testing its electric propulsion system on a prototype motor glider. The flight test phase made a successful jump flight at Otone Airport in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, in November 2014.

JAXA then successfully performed flight demonstration tests to establish several of its technologies, including the process of regenerating power during flight by using the aircraft’s electric motor as a generator and the ability to avoid complete loss of propulsion under simulated in-flight malfunction conditions.

With the tests progressing, JAXA plans to demonstrate functionality at higher altitudes and longer flight times in order to obtain more detailed data.

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