NASA seeks commercial airplanes of the future

NASA has contracted three major airplane designers to submit their ideas of what a faster, quieter, more energy-efficient airplane of the future will look like.

Boeing's initial submission is shown above, and NASA says all three companies will substantially develop their ideas before finally turning in their final plans for what commercial airplanes should look like in 2025.

Here's a photo of Northrop Grumman's initial idea:

Read more about the designs at Fast Company.

(Photos via NASA's website)