NASA and FAA Join Forces For Urban Drone Delivery Innovations

NASA and the FAA are addressing a new frontier in drone delivery technology that redefines urban living and challenges safety protocols.

At a Glance

The FAA authorized drone flights in Dallas-Fort Worth without visual observers.
NASA is advancing Beyond Visual Line of Sight technology.
Drones are key players for companies like Walmart and DroneUp.
Regulatory approval boosts drone use across North America.

FAA’s New Drone Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval for commercial drones in the Dallas-Fort Worth region to operate without the need for visual observers. This move significantly broadens drone delivery potential, especially in urban settings.

Retail players like Walmart are leveraging these advancements by expanding their delivery reach through companies such as DroneUp, Wing, and Zipline. These operators help facilitate faster deliveries, promising a bright future for efficiency and convenience.

The #FAA and @NASA, in partnership with @MAAPUAS, @NorthDakotaUAS, and @NIAS_Nevada, successfully demonstrated how the #UTMPilotProgram will help advance safe #drone integration. https://t.co/DuK9S5pehT #FlySafe pic.twitter.com/TQQKm2C08K

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) September 4, 2019

NASA’s Role in Drone Safety

NASA plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of airspace shared by drones. A crucial advancement is NASA’s work on Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM), which promotes seamless integration of drones into urban landscapes.

“NASA’s pioneering work on UTM, in collaboration with the FAA and industry, set the stage for safe and scalable small drone flights below 400 feet,” said NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility mission integration manager, Parimal Kopardekar.

NASA’s continuous development in Beyond Visual Line of Sight technology enhances the ability of drones to navigate without direct line-of-sight observation, a critical element for efficient operation in bustling cities.

City life has challenges…from crowds to traffic & more. In the near future, drones will face these & other challenges in our cities as they start flying. To help, @NASAaero is testing tech as part of a system to safely manage urban drone traffic. More: https://t.co/0wohfjPMXq pic.twitter.com/J4IdIKjZEu

— NASA (@NASA) May 21, 2019

Economic and Operational Challenges

While the technological developments are promising, operational challenges remain. Operators currently manage traffic without federal assistance, prompting economic concerns regarding scalability and sustainability.

“The [drone] industry is effectively having to almost build all of these things from the ground up in a way that makes it hard and economically infeasible to continue to scale,” said John Vernon, co-founder and chief technology officer for DroneUp.

Drone costs per delivery remain higher than desired, with companies like DroneUp aiming to reduce expenses. Nevertheless, regulations and technological improvements signal a positive trend for the drone industry.

The Future of Drone Delivery

Despite these challenges, the combined efforts of NASA and the FAA depict a promising future, where routine drone deliveries become a staple of urban transportation. Their work ensures that drone operations remain safe and efficient as they expand.

As regulations continue to adapt and improve, the realization of drones as an everyday convenience appears imminent, marking a significant shift in how goods are delivered across cities.