Developing a Research Agenda on Contrails and Their Climate Impacts

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board,Committee on the Research Agenda for Reducing the Climate Impact of Aviation-Induced Cloudi

ISBN 10: 0309735513 / ISBN 13: 9780309735513

Published by National Academies Press, 2025

About this Item

Seller Inventory # mon0003864586

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Developing a Research Agenda on Contrails and Their Climate Impacts
• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309735513
• ISBN 13: 9780309735513
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Contrails are visible lines in the sky behind aircraft that occur when warm jet engine exhaust meets the colder surrounding atmosphere, forming small ice crystals. Most contrails dissipate within about 10 minutes, but they can last for hours under certain conditions. Persistent contrails can contribute to atmospheric warming and are estimated to have a climate impact on par with carbon dioxide emissions from aviation.

In early 2024, NASA requested that the National Academies develop a national research agenda to better understand, quantify, and develop technical and operational solutions to reduce the global climate impact of aviation-induced cloudiness and persistent contrails. This report presents priorities for a national contrails research strategy and provides a vision for how this research could eventually support operational contrails mitigation. This research would support the global economic competitiveness of the U.S. civil aviation industry in the context of emerging international aviation regulations.