NASA is in the final stage of testing its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Air Traffic Management (UTM) software. The cloud-based software system is a research concept that could provide a safe and efficient system for managing low altitude drone air traffic. The tests in Corpus Christi, Texas are focusing on drone operations at altitudes between 200 and 400 feet within a dense city environment. Drone operations in a city present unique challenges to drone traffic management, including: more obstacles to avoid, weather and wind conditions, reduced ability to communicate by radio, and fewer safe landing locations. With a long-standing partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration and help from industry partners, the goal is to understand how a nationwide system for drones can safely integrate remotely-piloted aircraft into low-altitude airspace.
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NASA ID
ARC-20190815-AAV3213-UTM-TCL4-TexasBRoll-NASAWeb
Date Created
August 14, 2019
Center
ARC
Media Type
video
Photographer
NASA Ames Research Center
Location
Corpus Christi, Texas
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