The Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program (TACP) is a dynamic ecosystem where disruptive concepts, foundational research, and university-led innovation converge.
Through its focus on disruptive ideas and next‑generation engineering, TACP is shaping the future of aeronautics while strengthening NASA’s engineering capabilities across the Agency, ensuring that TACP not only supports but anticipates the aeronautics needs of tomorrow.
john cavolowsky
TACP Director
TACP ignites innovation to build a dynamic, collaborative environment that keeps us advancing at the forefront of global aviation, powered by breakthroughs in aerospace engineering methodologies and tools.
The Capabilities Powering TACP’s Innovation
Aeronautics research and flight testing that advance how we design, measure, and understand aircraft performance.
Digital engineering and modeling tools that help predict performance, solve complex problems, and speed up development.
Materials and structures research that strengthens future air and space systems.
Propulsion, energy storage, and electrification innovations that support cleaner, more efficient aviation.
Partnerships across universities, industry, and the workforce that fuel ongoing innovation.
TACP Projects Shaping The Future Aviation
Transformational Tools and Technologies (TTT)
The TTT project delivers breakthrough engineering methods through world-class computational expertise and rapidly assesses innovative solutions to revolutionize the aerospace community.
University Innovation (UI)
The UI project supports educating the next generation of aeronautical innovators by providing opportunities for university-led teams to conduct research into transformative technology that supports NASA’s research goals.
TACP Shapes Revolutionary Engineering Method Opportunities
Investing in engineering methods benefits both NASA and the aerospace community, leading to shortened design cycles, reduced development cost, improved performance, and strengthened industry competitiveness.
- We link advanced computational analysis with NASA’s unique ground and flight test capabilities
- We integrate machine intelligence with physics expertise and high‑quality datasets
- We develop next‑generation, multidisciplinary design and analysis tools for increasingly complex aerospace challenges
Through its focus on disruptive ideas and next‑generation engineering, TACP is shaping the future of aeronautics while strengthening NASA’s engineering capabilities across the Agency, ensuring that TACP not only supports but anticipates the aeronautics needs of tomorrow.
