Scott Nicholas
Near Earth Autonomy has secured a contract under NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research initiative to help the space agency integrate unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace.
Near Earth said Wednesday that it will develop and demonstrate technologies to facilitate safe unmanned aircraft operations in case of emergency situations.
The company will also build an autonomous contingency system that can help unmanned aircraft withstand wind disturbances, power loss, engine and sensor failures as well as adapt to environmental changes with minimal or no human involvement.
“As unmanned aircraft are taking on these complex and hazardous conditions in low-altitudes, it is essential to have the technology onboard that will identify the contingency, adapt to the situation and make the necessary modifications for a safe and successful mission,” said Near Earth Autonomy CEO Sanjiv Singh.
Near Earth will demonstrate safe UAS flight without the support of GPS at the ongoing UTM Convention in Syracuse, New York.
