NASA is often referred to as America's space agency. However, its name also highlights another area of research. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA) is America's civilian aerospace research agency.
It has played a key role in the development of new technologies, from aircraft control systems to rocket engines. It also manages the Advanced Air Mobility campaign, which tests autonomous drone technology.
This campaign reached a new milestone when it tested an electric vertical takeoff-and landing (eVTOL), helicopter that was intended to be used as an air taxi.
(Joby Aviation).
Above: Joby's electric helicopter ready to take off from the Electric Flight Base in Big Sur, California.
The testing will continue through September 10th. It is being conducted using an unnamed eVTOL craft made by Joby, a company that has been working with NASA on the technology for more than 10 years.
It looks like a 6-rotor drone in size and will fly at Joby's Electric Flight Base near Big Sur, California.
This is the first round with this new type of aircraft. NASA has developed a detailed test plan, which includes data collection on vehicle movement, noise, communications, and flight modes.
Researchers had to create a mobile acoustic centre that could track an aircraft using 50 microphones, and record the noise it makes.
People must accept that noise is an important factor in autonomous VTOL flight. Delivery drones flying in your backyard would cause as much noise as a jet engine.
Public acceptance is not the only factor that influences the testing.
Illustration of Advanced Air Mobility Potential Uses. (NASA).
Regulations are another. Although not directly responsible for autonomous flight regulation, NASA is an important partner of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Technology activists are concerned that the FAA is not being responsive to a rapidly changing industry. This could hinder American companies' ability to compete in better regulatory environments.
NASA's AAM activities will be used by the FAA to inform its decision-making process as it attempts balance reasonable regulation with enabling technological advancement.
Next in the series of efforts will be NC-1, a set if tests. These tests are scheduled to take place in 2022 and will provide more realistic scenarios and flight patterns than those that were attempted in Big Sur over the next weeks.
The combined efforts of the US government's regulatory and aerospace research arms will create a dynamic, disruptive industry that can make a difference in the lives of its citizens.
One outcome of this vibrant and disruptive industry could be the staple of science fiction novels for more than a century, which is safe, affordable, and flying cars.
Universe Today originally published this article. You can read the original article.
