Technology & Innovation
NASA and NOAA Discover Organic Nanoparticles in Lower Stratosphere
NASA and NOAA reveal ultrafine organic-rich nanoparticles dominate aerosol surface area in the lower stratosphere, impacting climate models.
This article summarizes reporting by NASA Science News and James Riordon.
Scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have uncovered a massive, previously undetected population of ultrafine nanoparticles in the Earth’s lower stratosphere. According to reporting by NASA Science News, these microscopic particles play a surprisingly dominant role in atmospheric chemistry, fundamentally challenging how current climate models understand the stratosphere.
The data driving this discovery was collected during the Stratospheric Aerosol Processes, Budget, and Radiative Effects (SABRE) mission in February 2023. Utilizing specialized high-altitude aircraft, researchers were able to sample air in the far northern stratosphere, reaching altitudes of up to 12 miles (19 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface. The findings were subsequently published in the peer-reviewed journal Science on April 23, 2026.
At AirPro News, we recognize that the stratospheric aerosol layer, spanning roughly 8 to 35 kilometers above the surface, is critical for regulating global climate. It reflects incoming sunlight and facilitates chemical reactions that dictate atmospheric composition. The revelation that a vast majority of the reactive surface area in this layer has been missing from our models marks a significant turning point in atmospheric science.
The SABRE Mission and High-Altitude Sampling
Deploying the NASA WB-57
To capture these elusive particles, the joint NASA and NOAA team relied on NASA’s WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft. According to official mission details summarized by NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory, the aircraft was outfitted with highly specialized, custom-built instruments. These sensors were uniquely capable of detecting and measuring particles down to an incredibly small 0.003 micrometers (three nanometers) in diameter.
Because these nanoparticles fall well below the sensitivity thresholds of standard satellite sensors and traditional balloon-borne instruments, they have historically represented a blind spot in atmospheric monitoring. The WB-57’s ability to carry heavy, complex mass spectrometry equipment into the lower stratosphere was essential for finally bringing this hidden population to light.
Uncovering Organic-Rich Nanoparticles
Unprecedented Size and Abundance
The scale of the discovery is defined by both the minuscule size of the particles and their overwhelming volume. NASA Science News reports that most of these newly analyzed particles measure less than 0.11 micrometers (150 nanometers) in diameter. To put this into perspective, researchers note that they are approximately 100 times smaller than a standard speck of dust, and it would take roughly 500 of them lined up to span the width of a single human hair.
Despite their microscopic footprint, the sheer quantity of these nanoparticles is staggering. According to the findings published in Science, these ultrafine aerosols account for as much as 90% of the total aerosol surface area available for chemical reactions in the lower stratosphere.
A Shift in Chemical Understanding
Historically, global climate models have operated on the assumption that small stratospheric particles are almost entirely composed of sulfates, such as those emitted by volcanic activity. However, the particle mass spectrometry data gathered during the SABRE mission revealed a very different reality. The research indicates that these aerosols are highly rich in organics, with surface-originating organic chemicals making up about 50% of their total mass.
“These particles have been mostly invisible to us until now,”
“The model treats all small particles as essentially sulfate-only, but we’re seeing a large contribution from organic chemicals.”
Origins and Climate Model Impacts
From the Surface to the Stratosphere
Understanding how these organic-rich particles reach the stratosphere is crucial for updating atmospheric models. According to NOAA’s research summaries, the particles initially form in the upper troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth, from various surface emissions. They are then transported upward into the stratosphere through powerful weather mechanisms, including tropical updrafts, convective storms, and gradual atmospheric uplifting.
Scientists confirmed this surface-to-stratosphere journey by tracking the particles alongside elevated levels of nitrous oxide (Nâ‚‚O). Because Nâ‚‚O is a well-documented marker of recent air movement from the Earth’s surface, its presence alongside the organic nanoparticles strongly supports their tropospheric origins.
AirPro News analysis
For the aerospace, aviation, and environmental monitoring sectors, we view this discovery as a critical mandate for technological and computational upgrades. The interaction between these newly discovered fine organic particles and larger sulfur-based aerosols creates a complex, bimodal particle size distribution that current climate models simply cannot replicate.
If 90% of the reactive aerosol surface area in the lower stratosphere has been missing from our simulations, our understanding of solar radiation reflection and ozone depletion has been fundamentally incomplete. We anticipate that this research will drive a new wave of funding and development for high-altitude sensor technologies, as well as a comprehensive rewrite of the algorithms used to predict global climate shifts. Aerospace manufacturers and operators of high-altitude platforms may also need to consider how this dense layer of organic nanoparticles interacts with high-altitude flight systems over long durations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the SABRE mission?
The Stratospheric Aerosol Processes, Budget, and Radiative Effects (SABRE) mission was a joint research initiative conducted in February 2023 by NASA and NOAA. It utilized high-altitude aircraft to study the composition and chemical dynamics of aerosols in the Earth’s stratosphere.
Why are these nanoparticles important for climate models?
Aerosols in the stratosphere help regulate the Earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight and facilitating chemical reactions. Because these newly discovered nanoparticles make up 90% of the reactive surface area in the lower stratosphere and contain 50% organic mass, rather than just sulfates, current climate models must be updated to accurately predict atmospheric behavior.
How do surface chemicals reach the stratosphere?
Emissions from the Earth’s surface form particles in the lower atmosphere (troposphere). These particles are then carried up to 12 miles high into the stratosphere by powerful weather events like convective storms and tropical updrafts.
Sources: NASA Science News
Photo Credit: NASA
Sustainable Aviation
KBR PureSAF Technology Selected for Kazakhstan First SAF Plant
KBR licenses PureSAF technology for Kazakhstan’s first SAF facility, using an alcohol-to-jet process with domestic feedstocks.
Global engineering firm KBR announced on August 24, 2026, that it secured a contracts to license its proprietary PureSAF technology and provide engineering design for Kazakhstan’s inaugural Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility. The project, developed in partnership with KazMunayGas-Aero LLP (KMG-Aero) and KazFoodProducts (KFP), will utilize domestic agricultural feedstocks to produce low-carbon aviation fuel via an alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) process.
In a press release detailing the contract award, KBR confirmed the agreement supports Kazakhstan’s strategic objective to establish itself as an international aviation hub while advancing aviation decarbonization. The planned facility will leverage technology developed in collaboration with Swedish Biofuels AB to convert ethanol into drop-in aviation fuel.
Technology and Project Scope
The facility will utilize KBR’s PureSAF technology, an alcohol-to-jet pathway designed to process agricultural feedstocks into sustainable aviation fuel. The foundational trilateral agreement covering the Process Design Package (PDP) and technology licensing was signed by KBR, KMG-Aero, and KFP in Astana on July 23, 2026. KBR, which employs approximately 37,000 people and operates in 28 countries, will provide the engineering framework required to scale the AtJ process for commercial output.
KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions President Jay Ibrahim stated the company is honored to support the national commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“KBR’s PureSAF is a feed-flexible, bankable technology that is designed to deliver high SAF yields and supports the project across the full lifecycle. We look forward to closely collaborating and supporting the successful execution of this landmark SAF project,” Ibrahim said.
Kazakhstan’s Aviation Decarbonization Strategy
The KBR contract follows a series of government initiatives aimed at building a domestic SAF supply chain. On August 4, 2026, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and Dr. Peter Lee of Hong Kong-based Full Vision Capital signed a memorandum of understanding to explore creating a green aviation fuel ecosystem in the city of Alatau. This proposed ecosystem would cover the full production cycle, from cultivating agricultural feedstock to manufacturing the finished product.
These infrastructure investments align with recommendations from global aviation regulators and industry groups. In April 2026, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasized that continued investment in SAF, alongside new airport infrastructure, is critical for Kazakhstan to capitalize on global passenger and cargo traffic and strengthen its domestic aviation sector.
AirPro News analysis
The KBR contract award represents a concrete technical step in Kazakhstan’s ambition to localize SAF production, but several commercial variables remain undefined. The August 24 announcement did not disclose the financial value of the engineering contract, the projected production capacity of the facility, or a target completion date. We note that while the alcohol-to-jet pathway is a proven method for SAF production, scaling agricultural feedstock supply-chain domestically will be critical to the plant’s long-term viability. The parallel involvement of Full Vision Capital suggests the government is actively working to finance and structure this agricultural supply chain in the Alatau region to ensure the KBR-designed facility has the necessary inputs to operate at scale.
Sources: KBR
Photo Credit: Montage
Technology & Innovation
Boeing and GM Complete Sale of HRL Laboratories to IBM
Boeing and GM finalized the sale of HRL Laboratories to IBM on August 25, 2026, supporting Boeing’s refocus on core aerospace operations.
The Boeing Company and General Motors Company have finalized the sale of their jointly owned research facility, HRL Laboratories, to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), a divestment that allows the aerospace and automotive manufacturers to redirect resources toward their primary industrial operations.
The transaction transfers ownership of the Malibu, California-based research center, which Boeing and GM previously held in a 50/50 joint venture. The companies initially announced the acquisition agreement on July 23, 2026. Boeing and GM confirmed the completion of the sale in a press release on August 25, 2026, followed by IBM’s official confirmation on August 26. Financial terms of the Acquisitions were not disclosed.
Strategic realignment for Boeing and GM
For Boeing, the sale of HRL Laboratories aligns with a broader corporate Strategy to streamline operations and concentrate capital on its core commercial airplanes, defense, and space divisions. HRL Laboratories was founded in 1948 and has historically provided advanced physical science and engineering research for its parent companies.
In a joint statement, Boeing and GM indicated that they will maintain a working relationship with the laboratory under its new ownership to support their respective technological needs.
“Since its founding in 1948, HRL Laboratories has been a leader in pioneering work in physical science and engineering, and we look forward to IBM building on this legacy. While Boeing and GM will continue to partner with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development, our companies will focus our resources on our respective core businesses and delivering the programs and services necessary to meet our customers’ evolving needs.”
IBM accelerates quantum hardware roadmap
The acquisition provides IBM with HRL’s expertise in silicon-spin qubits, quantum sensing, and advanced materials. IBM plans to integrate these technologies into its dual-track hardware strategy, combining its existing superconducting circuits with HRL’s silicon quantum dot research.
This integration supports the development of the IBM Quantum Starling, a fault-tolerant quantum computer projected to perform 100 million quantum operations by 2029.
Jay Gambetta, Director of Research and IBM Fellow, noted in a company statement that the HRL team brings a broad portfolio of technologies that will strengthen IBM’s long-term plans to deliver useful quantum computing. Gambetta stated the acquisition brings together advances across quantum computing, sensing, and networking.
Rob Vasquez, President and Chief Executive Officer of HRL Laboratories, described the acquisition as the natural next chapter for the facility, noting the team’s dedication to exploring how future quantum computers could be built at unprecedented scales.
AirPro News analysis
We view Boeing’s divestment of HRL Laboratories as a pragmatic step in its ongoing effort to stabilize and refocus its core aerospace Manufacturing businesses. While quantum computing and advanced materials research hold long-term promise for aerospace applications, maintaining a 50 percent stake in a dedicated research laboratory requires capital and management bandwidth that Boeing currently needs for its Commercial-Aircraft production and certification programs. By transitioning from an owner to a partner, Boeing retains access to HRL’s quantum advancements without the financial overhead of managing the joint venture.
Sources: The Boeing Company
Photo Credit: HRL Laboratories
Technology & Innovation
Archer Aviation and AEG to Build eVTOL Vertiport at LA LIVE
Archer Aviation and AEG announce a multi-year partnership to develop an eVTOL vertiport at LA LIVE ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
Archer Aviation Inc. and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) have established a multi-year partnerships to construct a dedicated vertiport for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the L.A. LIVE district in downtown Los Angeles.
Announced in an August 24, 2026 press release, the agreement establishes Archer as the exclusive air taxi partner for the 4 million-square-foot sports and entertainment complex. The project serves as a central node for Archer’s planned Southern California network, targeting operational readiness ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Infrastructure and Network Expansion
The two companies have completed an initial feasibility study for the L.A. LIVE site. This assessment evaluated land-use requirements, airspace integration, power availability, and community impact. The project has now advanced to a secondary phase focused on operational procedures and passenger experience.
To support flight operations, the facility will incorporate electric aviation chargers manufactured by BETA Technologies. This hardware integration aligns with the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry’s ACES consortium, which aims to standardize charging infrastructure across different eVTOL platforms.
The downtown location will connect to a broader regional network. According to reporting by Aviation International News, Archer’s Los Angeles architecture includes a central operational hub at the newly acquired Hawthorne Municipal Airport (KHHR). Additional planned nodes include Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (KBUR), John Wayne Airport (KSNA), SoFi Stadium, and the University of Southern California. Pollstar News reports that passenger travel times across this network are estimated between 10 and 20 minutes.
Aligning with the LA28 Games
The vertiport development is closely tied to the upcoming LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Downtown Los Angeles Zone is scheduled to host 18 Olympic and Paralympic sports, positioning L.A. LIVE adjacent to Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center as a high-traffic transit corridor. Archer previously secured the designation of Official Air Taxi Provider for the LA28 Games and Team USA.
Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein highlighted the strategic timing of the infrastructure build.
“Working with AEG on an iconic project like this vertiport at L.A. LIVE gives us the opportunity to continue building the infrastructure needed for Southern California to lead in the next era of all-electric flight. We see this as a one-of-a-kind opportunity to add a flagship downtown location to our planned Los Angeles air taxi network ahead of the LA28 Games.”
AEG Global Partnerships President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Baker stated the collaboration blends infrastructure and technology to serve event attendees and the broader community.
Unconfirmed Site Details
While the partnership is confirmed, specific logistical details remain undisclosed. Aviation International News noted that the exact footprint of the vertiport within the L.A. LIVE campus has not been specified. Potential locations could include existing parking structures, including one with a 100,000-square-foot rooftop deck, though neither Archer nor AEG has verified a specific location. Funding structures, ownership models, and specific operational responsibilities for the vertiport also remain unannounced.
AirPro News analysis
Securing viable takeoff and landing real estate in dense urban centers remains one of the highest barriers to entry for the AAM sector. By partnering directly with AEG, Archer bypasses several municipal land-acquisition hurdles, leveraging existing private commercial space in a highly regulated downtown corridor. The decision to install BETA Technologies chargers is equally significant. We view this hardware choice as a pragmatic step toward interoperability, ensuring the site can potentially service mixed fleets in the future rather than operating as a closed ecosystem. The success of this node will likely depend on local airspace deconfliction over downtown Los Angeles and the finalization of high-capacity grid connections required for rapid turnaround times.
Sources: Archer Aviation
Photo Credit: Archer Aviation
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