Project Team
Students
Shreshth Saxena
Aerospace Engineering
Abington
Joseph Flanagan
Aerospace Engineering
Abington
Faculty Mentors
Dr. Masataka Okutsu
Abington
Division of Science and Engineering
Project
https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/2024-07-24/MC-REU-modified-poster.pdf
Project Video
Project Abstract
The aviation industry is responsible for about 3.5% of Effective Radiative Forcing (ERF). Contrails are responsible for around 2/3 of the aviation industry’s contribution to ERF, much more than CO2 emissions. Possible mitigation strategies include rerouting flights and the use of alternate fuels like hydrogen and biofuel. Our long-term objective is to understand the overall effect of those strategies on ERF. To validate the Schmidt-Appleman criterion of contrail formation, six field observation data (three with contrails and three without) were collected. For each of the six cases, atmospheric conditions at flight altitude were estimated based on ground weather data using the International Standard Atmosphere Model (ISA). Aircraft and engine types were identified using flightradar24 and other publicly accessible data. Future work includes comparing observed data against Schmidt-Appleman Criterion and investigating effects of the mitigation strategies.
Evaluate this Project
Use this form link to provide feedback to the presenters, and add your project evaluation for award(s) consideration.