{"id":38154,"date":"2021-05-05T11:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-05T15:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-470749"},"modified":"2023-12-22T10:50:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T15:50:01","slug":"a-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/a-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility\/","title":{"rendered":"A Story for Axel: Small Drones, Big Ideas for Better Air Mobility"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\"><div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\"><p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">10 min read<\/p><h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">A Story for Axel: Small Drones, Big Ideas for Better Air Mobility<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Jim Banke telling his grandson, Axel, about two research projects involving drones large and small. There is a thought bubble with images of various drones, large and small, real photo and artist concept.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">As NASA Aeronautics senior writer Jim Banke tells his grandson, Axel, about two recently concluded research projects involving drones large and small, Axel accurately imagines what the major elements of the three-part story looks like.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Jim Banke, Lillian Gipson<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em><strong>This is the final part of a three-part series in which NASA Aeronautics\u2019 senior writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers\/kennedy\/about\/history\/chroniclers\/banke.html\">Jim Banke<\/a> tells his newborn grandson, Axel, the story about how two recently concluded research projects will help achieve a long-held vision for the future of aviation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeroresearch\/a-story-for-axel-nasa-drone-projects-achieve-critical-early-work\">In part one<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeroresearch\/a-story-for-axel-detect-and-avoid-command-and-control\">part two<\/a>, Axel heard about the goals and achievements of the UAS in the NAS project. The story continues\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Axel, it\u2019s time to start wrapping up my story about NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/topics\/aeronautics\/index.html\">aeronautical innovators<\/a> and their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/subject\/9566\/unmanned-aircraft\/\">trailblazing research<\/a>. Although you\u2019re still wide awake, it\u2019s getting late, and your parents are going to get mad at me if I don\u2019t get you back in your crib soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So now we flash back to late 2013, two years after the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeroresearch\/programs\/iasp\/uas\">Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the National Airspace System<\/a> (UAS in the NAS) project, had started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s just after Thanksgiving and Amazon releases a video on YouTube that reveals its plans to soon use small drones to deliver packages to people\u2019s doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat took everybody like\u2026 whoa, that is crazy!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s how Parimal Kopardekar, or \u201cPK,\u201d described how he heard the aviation community reacting to the idea of a company with no aviation experience planning to introduce a brand-new air transportation system to the world. And to do it fast.<br>\n <br>\nToday PK is director of the <a href=\"https:\/\/nari.arc.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA Aeronautical Research Institute<\/a>, but back then he was a project manager within the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeroresearch\/programs\/aosp\">Airspace Operations and Safety Program<\/a>, which was and still is home to NASA\u2019s air traffic management systems research.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Running tests on a drone in flight\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg 5066w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/34734418131_b30067e1a9_o.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">At a New York test site in June 2017, a pilot flies a drone as part of Technical Capability Level 2, a series of flight tests managed by NASA\u2019s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management project.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NUAIR Alliance \/ Eric Miller<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>PK found his thoughts nearly taken over by visions of solving how hundreds of these small drones could make thousands of flights every day over major city areas \u2013 like Amazon proposed \u2013 and do it safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were so many unknowns: How do you manage all those drones flying low over a city? How do you keep them from colliding with buildings or each other? How would you handle emergency situations, especially if the pilots can\u2019t see the drones they are flying?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PK knew there was no way the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) \u2013 or any other air navigation service provider in the world \u2013 could deal with this volume the same way it\u2019s done today. You couldn\u2019t hire and equip enough controllers without making the system collapse beneath its own weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenge Accepted<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>But PK was sure he had the answer. It would be called the UAS Traffic Management system, or UTM, and he had refined his thoughts enough to write and file a patent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spoiler alert: The patent \u2013 officially called \u201cUnmanned Aerial System Traffic Management to Enable Civilian Low Altitude Goods and Service Delivery by UAS\u201d \u2013 was granted in 2019, and in 2020 was awarded the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/utm-awarded-2020-nasa-government-invention-of-the-year\">Government Invention of the Year<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That should tell you how successful the project was during its five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The basic idea behind UTM was to provide an automated network that would manage flights of drones below 400 feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drone operators would tell the UTM system where they wanted to fly, and the system would check to make sure the plan was safe and there would be no conflicts with other scheduled traffic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It involved a lot of automation and a lot of different systems electronically talking to each other with minimal human involvement. Drone operators could schedule deliveries using a website or even an app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This would be very different from the way the current system works where pilots who are required to stay in contact with air traffic controllers must get permission every time they want to change their course or altitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In its place, information about where every aircraft is in the sky at any time would be digitally communicated across the UTM system, creating what PK called a \u201cshare and care environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies certified by the FAA would use this network to supply air traffic management services. Instead of a management by permission philosophy, UTM would feature a management by exception mindset. Pilots would only be told what not to do.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understandably, the FAA was hesitant to embrace the concepts behind UTM at first. Aviation is the safest method of travel for a reason. Change must happen only after every effort is made to ensure safety won\u2019t be affected, and that can take time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To test the waters, PK conducted a small workshop in 2014 with representatives from industry \u2013 Google, Amazon, and others \u2013 to <a href=\"https:\/\/ntrs.nasa.gov\/api\/citations\/20140013436\/downloads\/20140013436.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">talk about his ideas<\/a>. Industry\u2019s positive response gave NASA the confidence to take the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2015 NASA officially began the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/utm\">UTM project<\/a> with PK as its first manager. To help kick things off, the project <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ames\/utm2015\/\">hosted a three-day conference<\/a> open to anyone interested in this new area of drone operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few hundred were expected. More than 1,200 people showed up. The fact that attendance at that UTM convention was so huge sent a loud and clear signal to all concerned about the future. This was a big deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That \u201cJetsons\u201d future I dreamed of seemed more possible than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Industry was on board and anxious to get started. The FAA also realized something big was happening. NASA was in an ideal position to lead and serve as a facilitator of sorts as new standards and procedures were developed for UTM and did so.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Drones in flight over Reno, Nevada, during shakedown tests for NASA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management project\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/104674_acd19-0054-070.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA\u2019s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management project saw these drones fly over Reno, Nevada from May through August 2019 during a series of tests known as Technical Capability Level 4.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Dominic Hart<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>PK explained the situation to me like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOne of the things I liked to say was we were too fast for the FAA and too slow for industry. But after that 2015 workshop, things radically changed. Everybody started to accept it. UTM was the best way to safely accommodate small drones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Axel, remember all those acronyms from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeroresearch\/a-story-for-axel-detect-and-avoid-command-and-control\">part two of the story<\/a>? DAA, C2, and MOPS? Well in its own way, the UTM project had to work through the same concerns related to DAA and C2 the UAS in the NAS project studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And like before, these new MOPS written for the smaller drones at lower altitudes would be sent on to the FAA to consider for adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The challenge: UTM participants couldn\u2019t use the same DAA and C2 equipment developed for the UAS in the NAS because they were too big and too heavy. UTM\u2019s smaller drones \u2013 with their size, weight, and power limitations \u2013 required a fresh look at how to safely deal with those concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Capable Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To test technologies needed for UTM, NASA conducted a series of four increasingly complex field demonstrations <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeroresearch\/utm-annual-highlights\/\">between 2015 and 2019<\/a>. They were known as Technical Capability Levels, or TCL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/ames\/first-steps-toward-drone-traffic-management\">TCL-1<\/a> kept things very basic. Each drone had its own pilot, who kept the drone in sight as it flew within a controlled test site. How these small drones might be used in firefighting or surveying farmland was demonstrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aero\/nasa-completes-latest-drone-traffic-management-flight-campaign\">TCL-2<\/a> saw drones flying over sparsely populated areas beyond where its pilots could see them. Technologies that enabled the drones to react to changing conditions or emergencies, such as the loss of a radio link between the pilot and drone, were tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2019_homola_tcl3_dasc-508_0.pdf?emrc=a60e1b\">TCL-3<\/a> saw coordinated test flights of drones at six different locations across the country. Here the emphasis was on maintaining safe distances from other aircraft, whether they were part of the test or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2020-martin-nasa-tm-220516_utm-tcl4-r1-508_0.pdf?emrc=7e33a5\">TCL-4<\/a> was the UTM project\u2019s big finish, its final exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this activity, several drones were flown using UTM-related technologies and procedures over areas of larger cities, namely Reno, Nevada, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Package delivery and emergency response were among the tasks demonstrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Altogether, NASA brought together and collaborated with more than 100 representatives of industry, academia, and public agency partners \u2013 with the FAA at the top of the list. Together, they showed that a highly automated air traffic management system for drones that doesn\u2019t rely on human air traffic controllers could safely work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PK said the project owes its success to those partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1041\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?w=1041\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Advanced Air Mobility, with its many vehicle concepts and potential uses in both local and intraregional applications, is shown\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?resize=1024,575 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/aam-design4-new-image-2-24-2021-3.jpg?resize=900,506 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Advanced Air Mobility, with its many vehicle concepts and potential uses in both local and intraregional applications, is shown in this illustration.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA \/ Lillian Gipson, Kyle Jenkins<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finishing the Story: Dreams to Reality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Axel, I can\u2019t stress enough how important the work done by both projects will be to those who are continuing to conduct research to enable this future of aviation that reminds me of the Jetsons \u2013 what we call <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aam\">Advanced Air Mobility<\/a>, or AAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In talking with PK, Lee, and others who worked on these projects, the common conclusion they share is that there\u2019d be an even bigger use for the idea that became UTM \u2013 and that\u2019s AAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AAM is a solution NASA and its partners are working on to safely manage all aircraft sizes flying at every altitude, not just small drones flying below 400 feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on what was developed for UTM, a system of service suppliers will digitally connect everyone, so every flight knows where it is in relation to nearby flights and when it is safe to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doing it that way might be the only solution as demand for air travel increases and air traffic control functions become more automated, all of which will expand the amount of digital data exchanged between the ground and the cockpit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ron Johnson, the UTM project manager when it ended, told me the UTM system has shown it can be grown along with the growth in air traffic. It might not look the same in the future, but something very much like it is the answer to eventually replacing the current system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We still have a way to go to realize the full vision of flying cars taking you to work each day, or having a pizza delivered by drone. But the technology and the rules needed to enable those possibilities are beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve already seen the FAA host its own UTM-related demonstration activities, as well as take some of the standards and procedures written for them to consider and officially turn them into new capabilities offered to the drone community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prime example of this is LAANC, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/uas\/programs_partnerships\/data_exchange\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability<\/a> \u2013 something the FAA describes as a collaboration between the FAA and industry that directly supports UAS integration into the airspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LAANC basically works just as the UTM project envisioned and demonstrated through its TCL\u2019s. An operator wishing to fly their small drone below 400 feet in controlled airspace around an airport can get authorization to fly by connecting to LAANC through an official UAS Service Supplier, or USS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ron told me LAANC is a very basic first step toward a more capable and comprehensive UTM system of the future. He also said the UTM concept is being embraced by nations around the world, from Austria to New Zealand, allowing US companies to compete on a global basis providing UTM services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The FAA also has drafted, with NASA\u2019s help, a <a href=\"https:\/\/nari.arc.nasa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/attachments\/ETM_ConOps_V1.0.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">concept of operations<\/a> for using a UTM system for aircraft flying above 60,000 feet \u2013 higher than today\u2019s commercial airliners fly \u2013 but it is not operational yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As cool as all that is, it\u2019s only the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s still plenty of work to do, plenty of learning to be done. It will <br>\ninvolve a lot of good people within NASA and among its many partners and collaborators who care about your future. And everyone else\u2019s too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It won\u2019t be long until you\u2019re old enough to have pizza, so here\u2019s a promise. The first one delivered to your house by drone is on me. Yes, we can make it half and half \u2013 half pepperoni for you (like your sister likes it), half sausage and sauerkraut for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s the end of the story. For now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to close your eyes and go to sleep, Axel. Sweet dreams of the future of flight. I love you.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-about-the-author nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-about-the-author\"><div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-x-0 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black padding-top-3\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h3 class=\"heading-14\">About the Author<\/h3><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-row grid-container padding-x-0 maxw-widescreen\"><div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\"><div class=\"grid-row\"><div class=\"hds-author-thumbnail mobile:circle-6 mobile:maxw-6 circle-card maxw-card thumbnail margin-right-2 desktop:margin-right-5\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"10rem\" height=\"10rem\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"avatar avatar-300 photo medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/cropped-banke-press-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Jim Banke\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-col\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-29 line-height-sm\">Jim Banke<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"heading-12 p-md\">Managing Editor\/Senior Writer<\/div><div class=\"padding-y-2\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\"><p class=\"margin-top-0\">Jim Banke is a veteran aviation and aerospace communicator with more than 35 years of experience as a writer, producer, consultant, and project manager based at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He is part of NASA Aeronautics' Strategic Communications Team and is Managing Editor for the Aeronautics topic on the NASA website.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-social-media grid-container grid-container-block nasa-gb-align- width-full maxw-full margin-y-0 padding-y-5 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-0 font-weight-bold hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-social-media-links\">\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center padding-y-1\" id=\"social-facebook\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"circle-4 minw-4 display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center\" style=\"background-color: #4267B2;\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-labelledby=\"facebookIconTitle\"><title id=\"facebookIconTitle\">Facebook logo<\/title><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div 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xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"169.063px\" height=\"169.063px\" viewBox=\"0 0 169.063 169.063\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 169.063 169.063;\" xml:space=\"preserve\" aria-labelledby=\"instagramIconTitle\"><title id=\"instagramIconTitle\">Instagram logo<\/title><g> <path d=\"M122.406,0H46.654C20.929,0,0,20.93,0,46.655v75.752c0,25.726,20.929,46.655,46.654,46.655h75.752 c25.727,0,46.656-20.93,46.656-46.655V46.655C169.063,20.93,148.133,0,122.406,0z M154.063,122.407 c0,17.455-14.201,31.655-31.656,31.655H46.654C29.2,154.063,15,139.862,15,122.407V46.655C15,29.201,29.2,15,46.654,15h75.752 c17.455,0,31.656,14.201,31.656,31.655V122.407z\"\/> <path d=\"M84.531,40.97c-24.021,0-43.563,19.542-43.563,43.563c0,24.02,19.542,43.561,43.563,43.561s43.563-19.541,43.563-43.561 C128.094,60.512,108.552,40.97,84.531,40.97z M84.531,113.093c-15.749,0-28.563-12.812-28.563-28.561 c0-15.75,12.813-28.563,28.563-28.563s28.563,12.813,28.563,28.563C113.094,100.281,100.28,113.093,84.531,113.093z\"\/> <path d=\"M129.921,28.251c-2.89,0-5.729,1.17-7.77,3.22c-2.051,2.04-3.23,4.88-3.23,7.78c0,2.891,1.18,5.73,3.23,7.78 c2.04,2.04,4.88,3.22,7.77,3.22c2.9,0,5.73-1.18,7.78-3.22c2.05-2.05,3.22-4.89,3.22-7.78c0-2.9-1.17-5.74-3.22-7.78 C135.661,29.421,132.821,28.251,129.921,28.251z\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-social-media-items padding-left-2\">\n\t\t\t\t<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"margin-right-2\" href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/NASA\" aria-label=\"Go to @NASA on instagram\" rel=\"noopener\">@NASA<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"margin-right-2\" href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/NASAaero\" aria-label=\"Go to @NASAaero on instagram\" rel=\"noopener\">@NASAaero<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"margin-right-2\" href=\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/NASA_es\" aria-label=\"Go to @NASA_es on instagram\" 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rel=\"noopener\">@NASA<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/research-model-increases-accuracy\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png 3953w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=300,192 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=768,491 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=1024,655 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=1536,983 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=2048,1310 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=400,256 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=600,384 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=900,576 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=1200,768 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20230608-144923-nasa-ldg-full-model-ls.png?resize=2000,1280 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Globetrotting NASA Research Model Increases Accuracy<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t28 mins ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/natural-disasters\/nasa-announces-new-system-to-aid-disaster-response\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/prturkiyeeq-020624a.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Announces New System to Aid Disaster Response<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md color-carbon-60\">In early May, widespread flooding and landslides occurred in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/langley\/nasas-rasc-al-competition-selects-2024-winners\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg 3608w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=300,228 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=768,583 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=1024,778 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=1536,1166 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=2048,1555 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=400,304 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=600,456 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=900,683 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=1200,911 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/2024-rasc-al-first-place-overall-virginia-tech-2.jpg?resize=2000,1519 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">3 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s RASC-AL Competition Selects 2024 Winners\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Missions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jsc2022e046413_orig.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans In Space<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"368\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?w=368\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg 368w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?resize=263,400 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 368px) 100vw, 368px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Solar System Exploration<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Why Oceans Matter The story of oceans is the story of life. Life as we know it requires three ingredients:...<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pia06890-our-solar-system-banner-1920x640-1.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/explore-nasas-history\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore NASA’s History<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1919\" height=\"1878\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=1919&h=1878&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=1919&h=1878&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1919w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=300&h=294&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=768&h=752&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=1024&h=1002&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1503&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=50&h=49&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=400&h=391&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=600&h=587&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=900&h=881&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/as17-134-20476\/as17-134-20476~large.jpg?w=1200&h=1174&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1919px) 100vw, 1919px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&text=A%20Story%20for%20Axel%3A%20Small%20Drones%2C%20Big%20Ideas%20for%20Better%20Air%20Mobility&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Faeronautics%2Fa-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Faeronautics%2Fa-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a 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cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Dec 22, 2023<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\"><div class=\"grid-col-4\"><div class=\"subheading\">Editor<\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-col-8\">Lillian Gipson<\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\"><div class=\"grid-col-4\"><div class=\"subheading\">Contact<\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-col-8\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-3\"><div>Jim Banke<\/div><div><a href=\"mailto:jim.banke@nasa.gov\">jim.banke@nasa.gov<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/\">Aeronautics<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nasa.gov\/mission\/aam\" rel=\"noopener\">Advanced Air Mobility<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/\">Aeronautics Technology<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-directorates\/armd\/airspace-operations-and-safety-program\/air-traffic-management-exploration\/\">Air Traffic Management – Exploration<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/air-traffic-solutions\/\">Air Traffic Solutions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-directorates\/armd\/airspace-operations-and-safety-program\/\">Airspace Operations and Safety Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ames\/\">Ames Research Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/armstrong\/\">Armstrong Flight Research Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/drones-and-you\/\">Drones & You<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/glenn\/\">Glenn Research Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/armd\/iasp\/\">Integrated Aviation Systems Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/langley-research-center\/\">Langley Research Center<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/armd\/integrated-aviation-systems-program\/uas-in-the-nas\/\">UAS in the NAS<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/armd\/aosp\/armd-aosp-utm\/\">UAS Traffic Management<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is the final part of a three-part series in which NASA Aeronautics\u2019 senior writer Jim Banke tells his newborn grandson, Axel, the story about how two recently concluded research projects will help achieve a long-held vision for the future of aviation. In part one and part two, Axel heard about the goals and achievements [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":34509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"48","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":["47"],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2660,13118,10843,10529,2824,3307,2854,2855,2826,2856,3306,2863,12738,10532],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[10618,10924,10831],"coauthors":[8588],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"A Story for Axel: Small Drones, Big Ideas for Better Air Mobility","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/a-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/a-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg"},"articleSection":"Aeronautics","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jim Banke"}],"creator":["Jim Banke"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate","Airspace Operations and Safety Program","UAS Traffic Management","Aeronautics","Advanced Air Mobility","Aeronautics Technology","Air Traffic Management - Exploration","Air Traffic Solutions","Ames Research Center","Armstrong Flight Research Center","Drones & You","Glenn Research Center","Integrated Aviation Systems Program","Langley Research Center","UAS in the NAS"],"dateCreated":"2021-05-05T15:31:00Z","datePublished":"2021-05-05T15:31:00Z","dateModified":"2023-12-22T15:50:01Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"A Story for Axel: Small Drones, Big Ideas for Better Air Mobility\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/a-story-for-axel-small-drones-big-ideas-for-better-air-mobility\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-05-05T15:31:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Aeronautics\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate,Airspace Operations and Safety Program,UAS Traffic Management,Aeronautics,Advanced Air Mobility,Aeronautics Technology,Air Traffic Management - Exploration,Air Traffic Solutions,Ames Research Center,Armstrong Flight Research Center,Drones & You,Glenn Research Center,Integrated Aviation Systems Program,Langley Research Center,UAS in the NAS\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Jim Banke\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":10,"time_ago":"3 years","featured_image":{"id":34509,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/envision-future-v4-blue_0.jpg","title":"envision-future-v4-blue_0","alt":"Jim Banke telling his grandson, Axel, about two research projects involving drones large and small. There is a thought bubble with images of various drones, large and small, real photo and artist concept.","caption":"As NASA Aeronautics senior writer Jim Banke tells his grandson, Axel, about two recently concluded research projects involving drones large and small, Axel accurately imagines what the major elements of the three-part story looks like."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38154"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38154"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":512929,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38154\/revisions\/512929"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38154"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=38154"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=38154"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=38154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}