GPS World

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  • FAA restricts drones over federal prisons, Coast Guard bases

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established temporary unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flight restrictions over federal penitentiaries and U.S. Coast Guard bases.

    The restrictions, which take place June 20, are for drone flights up to 400 feet within the lateral boundaries of the facilities.

    The restrictions came at the request of federal security partners the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

    The FAA is using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 99.7 — “Special Security Instructions” — to address concerns about drone operations over these facilities,” the agency stated.

    Information on the FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which defines these restrictions, and the covered locations, can be found on the FAA’s UAS website. Broader information regarding flying drones in the National Airspace System, including frequently asked questions, is also on the FAA website.

    An interactive map, downloadable geospatial data and other important details can be found here.

    A link to the restrictions is also included in the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app.

    This is the first time the FAA has placed specific flight restrictions for unmanned aircraft over Federal Bureau of Prisons and Coast Guard facilities. The FAA has placed similar flight restrictions over military installations that remain in place, as well as over 10 Department of Interior facilities and seven Department of Energy facilities.

    Operators who violate the flight restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.

    There are a few exceptions that permit drone flights, which must be coordinated with the individual facility or the FAA.

    The FAA is considering additional requests by eligible federal security agencies for UAS-specific flight restrictions using the agency’s §99.7 authority as they are received. Additional changes to these restrictions will be announced by the FAA as appropriate.

    The following facilities will have the new restrictions:

    United States Penitentiaries (USP)

    USP Tucson near Tucson, AZ
    USP Atwater near Atwater, CA
    USP Victorville near Victorville, CA
    USP Florence High near Florence, CO
    USP Florence ADMAX near Florence, CO
    USP Coleman I near Sumterville, FL
    USP Coleman II near Sumterville, FL
    USP Marion near Marion, IL
    USP Terre Haute near Terre Haute, IN
    USP Big Sandy near Inez, KY
    USP McCreary near Pine Knot, KY
    USP Pollock near Pollock, LA
    USP Yazoo City near Yazoo City, MS
    USP Allenwood near Allenwood, PA
    USP Canaan near Waymart, PA
    USP Lewisburg near Lewisburg, PA
    USP Beaumont near Beaumont, TX
    USP Lee near Pennington Gap, VA
    USP Hazelton near Bruceton Mills, WV

    United States Coast Guard (USCG) Bases

    USCG Baltimore Yard, MD
    USCG Base Boston, MA
    USCG Base Alameda, CA
    USCG Base Los Angeles/Long Beach (LALB), CA
    USCG Base Elizabeth City, NC
    USCG Base Kodiak, AK
    USCG Base Miami, FL
    USCG Base Portsmouth, VA
    USCG Base Seattle, WA
    USCG Operations System Center (OSC) near Martinsburg, WV

  • Hangar joins Esri Startup Program to add aerial insights to ArcGIS

    Hangar Technology Inc., a robotics-as-a-system technology company providing scalable 4D visual insights, has been selected to join the Esri Startup Program.

    The three-year program helps emerging business partners bring new and innovative products to Esri customers.

    The initial partnership between Hangar and Esri will enable ArcGIS customers to request and receive autonomous, precision-captured drone data on demand from within ArcGIS, enabling industries to gain real-time awareness and insight about locations and features.

    The GIS community has grown accustomed to ambiguous and infrequent imagery. While emerging robotic enablers like drones provide a high-resolution, low-cost alternative to satellite and manned aircraft imagery, there hasn’t been a feasible way for GIS professionals to repeatedly gather precision location insight at scale, from potentially thousands of features within Esri maps, Hangar said in a statement.

    Hangar not only makes aerial data possible at this scale, but also available on request from within ArcGIS. Using a system of systems, Hangar streamlines and automates the 4D data supply chain, enabling task-and-receive reality capture. In the near future, ArcGIS users will be able to request aerial insights at any feature, and have imagery delivered back in 24 to 48 hours or less.

    “The pain we see in the GIS community is an inability to quickly and efficiently pair 2D data with the 3D reality,” said Jeff DeCoux, CEO and founder of Hangar. “We’re excited to work with Esri to deliver on-demand, precision 4D insight to ArcGIS users. Hangar will enable businesses to take full advantage of robotics as instruments of data collection, and provide the industry much needed repeatability and scale.”

    ArcGIS Online users will have the capability to request and receive aerial imagery at variable frequencies or volumes. Requests can be made manually, on an as-needed basis, or automatically, based on contextual triggers or volume requirements. Data is autonomously captured, automatically processed, then delivered back to the customer via a high-speed delivery engine.

    The digital missions behind requests are saved indefinitely, and can be performed repetitively with absolute precision and accuracy, preserving data integrity over time. ArcGIS users will be able to view captures within 24 to 48 hours from the initial request, across a variety of data types.

    “Hangar empowers Esri users to explore any of the thousands of features within ArcGIS maps, observing ground truth at each pin in incredible detail, today and over time,” said Francis Kelly, Esri, global partner programs manager. “Hangar adds valuable data validity and scalability to the budding drone industry. We’re excited to work with them to give Esri users the ability to analyze and consume physical world content in a new and meaningful way.”

    As big-data levels of precision spatial data are collected over time, Hangar will work with Esri to intelligently apply change detection and pattern recognition to enable a new era GIS that includes artificial intelligence and machine learning.

    Hangar will be attending the Esri User Conference, July 9-13 in San Diego, at booth Z19 to demonstrate its technology and showcase the partnership with Esri.

  • PCTEL launches multi-GNSS L1/L2/L5 antennas for precision navigation

    PCTEL launches multi-GNSS L1/L2/L5 antennas for precision navigation

    PCTEL Inc. has launched a new series of multi-GNSS L1/L2/L5 antennas for precision navigation and timing.

    According to the company, the antennas combine aerospace-level precision with global satellite compatibility, in a highly durable package. They enable critical applications including vehicular automation, 5G network timing synchronization and Positive Train Control (PTC) systems.

    The company made the announcement at the RSSI C&S Exhibition (Railway Systems Suppliers Inc.) being held this week in Omaha, Nebraska.

    PCTEL’s multi-GNSS L1/L2/L5 antennas increase the accuracy of timing and location information by providing simultaneous access to multiple GNSS signals across multiple frequency bands. The antennas support all relevant GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo frequencies with excellent multipath mitigation and high out-of-band rejection for greater signal clarity, the company said. Their robust AAR and IP67-compliant design makes them suitable for years of use on railways and in other harsh real-world environments.

    “Precision navigation is crucial for the next generation of autonomous vehicle technologies, which could drive major improvements in safety and efficiency across a wide variety of industries,” said Rishi Bharadwaj, senior vice president and general manager of PCTEL’s Connected Solutions group. “PCTEL’s new antennas make precision navigation accessible for large-scale deployments in rail, public safety, agricultural and commercial fleets. They also enable commercial deployments of 5G networks, which have higher accuracy requirements for network timing.”

    Earlier this month, PCTEL released its 900-MHz MIMO Yagi antennas with dual polarization., designed for use with MIMO or diversity radios in advanced supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and other industrial internet of things applications. PCTEL’s dual polarized antenna technology improves data throughput and reliability on both licensed and unlicensed spectrum.

    PCTEL is displaying its new multi-GNSS antennas along with other antenna solutions for the rail industry, May 22-23 at the RSSI C&S Exhibition, booth #1109. The new antennas will be available for purchase in mid-July.

  • GPS actively monitoring Kilauea’s eruptions, lava flows

    GPS actively monitoring Kilauea’s eruptions, lava flows

    GPS measurements are playing a key role in monitoring the erupting Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.

    The floor of the Pu’u ‘O’o Crater started to collapse on April 30, following weeks of uplift and increasing lava levels within the cone and seismicity in the East Rift Zone. The eruptions began on May 3, when a magnitude 5 earthquake struck, causing further collapse of the crater.

    The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has monitored volcanic activity on the islands since 1912. The HVO is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is issuing continuous updates on Kilauea.

    The HVO is closely monitoring the biggest fissures in what is known as the lower East Rift Zone. Geologists are onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows.

    Kilauea eruption map as of 8 a.m. HST, May 21. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960 and 2014–2015. (Photo: USGS)

    GPS stations monitor land movement of Kilauea. The Big Island’s most active volcano has erupted nearly continuously for more than three decades.

    “Magma supplied to the Lower East Rift Zone was indicated by the northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station,” the HVO said in its May 26 status update, but the station ceased movement a few hours later, telling a new story.

    “Magma continues to be supplied to the Lower East Rift Zone; however, a GPS instrument near the Lower East Rift Zone is no longer moving, suggesting that the rift zone is no longer inflating in this area,” the HVO stated. “Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days.”

    Map of GPS stations installed near the Pu’u O’o vent on Kilauea. (Photo: USGS)

    The GPS stations also monitor earthquake activity associated with the volcano. For instance, the May 4 magnitude 6.9 earthquake resulted in seaward motion of 1.5 feet along portions of Kīlauea’s south flank as measured by GPS stations across the volcano.

    “Because active volcanoes make for unstable land, highly sensitive seismometers come in handy to track the frequency and strength of micro-earthquakes,” the HVO explained. “Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and another satellite-based technology, InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), map ground deformation (inflation and deflation) to within a fraction of an inch while tiltmeters measure slope from ground level. Together, these technologies help track lava’s movement underground and help pinpoint where it might break through the surface.”

  • Abstracts due for ITSNT 2018

    Abstracts are due May 25 for the International Technical Symposium on Navigation and Timing, also known as the ITSNT.

    ITNST is an annual event organized by Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) for professionals and researchers working with or interested in navigation and timing technologies and their use.

    The 2018 edition of the ITSNT will take place Nov. 13-16 in Toulouse, France, on the campus of ENAC.

    This event is composed of two types of sessions:

    • Invited Guest sessions: special guests are invited by the scientific committee to give a presentation related to the generic topic of the session. Typically, there are four guest speakers per session, and the session ends with a round table. The programme of the “invited guest” sessions is available on the website.
    • Peer-Reviewed Paper sessions: the presenters of these sessions are selected by the scientific committee based on a call for abstract. The deadline for the call for abstracts is May 25. The final programme of these sessions will be available in October.

    The ITSNT also provides a great environment for networking and visiting sponsors’ exhibition stands.

    The symposium includes tutorials given by some of the invited guest speakers on their topic of excellence.

    Click here for more information on the call for abstracts and how to submit them.

  • MicroPilot, Trimble integrate GNSS into UAV autopilot

    MicroPilot, Trimble integrate GNSS into UAV autopilot

    MicroPilot Inc. has teamed with Trimble to integrate high-precision GNSS technology as part of its autopilot for guidance and control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

    With centimeter-level, real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning capabilities, Trimble’s multi-constellation GNSS receivers are capable of tracking signals from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, the company said. Trimble GNSS receivers are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from port automation and robotics to autonomous vehicle guidance.

    MicroPilot develops and manufactures autopilots for UAVs, including the triple-redundant MP21283X. The company also provides support products that enable customers to use their development time as efficiently as possible and bring their products to market faster. These products include the trueHWIL2 UAV autopilot simulator and the XTENDERmp software development kit.

    The MP21283X UAV autopilot. (Image: Micropilot)

    Working closely with Trimble gives MicroPilot the ability to better leverage Trimble’s GNSS technologies. This access improves the ability of MicroPilot’s support team to assist customers with their product development, testing and operations. Trimble will benefit from MicroPilot’s extensive experience integrating guidance, navigation and control systems for a wide variety of UAV platforms, the companies said.

    “Reliable, robust and innovative GNSS solutions as well as strong technical support is key to bringing any UAV to market and our relationship with Trimble will allow MicroPilot to improve on our already industry-leading support,” said MicroPilot president Howard Loewen.

    “We are very pleased to be working closely with MicroPilot to provide high-precision GNSS for its UAV autopilot solutions,” said Joseph Carey, director of strategic initiatives for Trimble’s Integrated Technologies Division. “MicroPilot autopilot’s simple installation, configuration and customization capabilities allow UAV manufacturers to easily integrate reliable, state-of-the-art, professional guidance, navigation and controls to their aerial platforms.”

  • Sony’s new IoT board features built-in GNSS receiver

    Sony’s new IoT board features built-in GNSS receiver

    The Spresence main board by Sony.

    Sony Corporation has developed two new products, the Spresence main and extension boards for internet of things (IoT) applications, equipped with a smart-sensing processor.

    The main board uses a multi-CPU structure equipped with Sony’s GNSS receiver (GPS+GLONASS) and high-res audio codec. A variety of systems for diverse applications — drones, smart speakers, sensing cameras and other IoT devices — can be built by combining the boards and developing the relevant applications.

    Technological information about the products’ software and hardware is publicly available via open platform, allowing for a wide range of developmental possibilities and further expanding the market.

    Positioning information and audio input/output functions are expected to become increasingly important in the expanding IoT market. The main board operates on low power and features a smart-sensing processor, with a built-in GNSS receiver and an audio codec that supports high-resolution audio sources. It employs a hexa-CPU, multi-core configuration that makes it easy for anyone to create high-performance, highly versatile applications.

    For example, the new board can be used to control a drone using GPS positioning technology and a high-performance processor, voice-controlled smart speakers, low-power consumption sensing cameras and other IoT devices. It can also be combined with various sensors for use in systems that detect errors in production lines on the factory floor.

    The IoT boards will be displayed at the Maker Faire Bay Area 2018 starting May 18 in San Mateo, California, and on Aug. 4-5 at the Maker Faire Tokyo 2018 in Tokyo, Japan.

    The new products go on sale July 31.

  • Esri’s Africa GeoPortal to help with urgent development challenges

    Esri has launched the Africa GeoPortal, a comprehensive cloud-based platform that provides rich content and solutions from Esri and its partners.

    The geoportal provides access to Esri’s ArcGIS Online service as well as geographic data and imagery for Africa.

    The African Union, African Development Bank, other international agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), academia, businesses and national government funds will be able to use the geoportal to address the most urgent development challenges — from economic development and climate adaptation to conservation and health care.

    “Access to this Africa GeoPortal powered by the ArcGIS platform will provide my colleagues at the iLab, and others in the network of African Technology Hubs (AfriLabs), with the information and analytical capabilities that we need to make the most effective development interventions for our citizens and communities,” said Luther Jeke, Manager of iCampus at iLab Liberia.

    The complimentary software-as-a-service technology is offered to all who are supporting African nations for positive economic, social and environmental outcomes — African citizens, NGOs, and international development agencies alike.

    The geoportal offers access to spatial analytics capabilities and authoritative content for charting compelling, educational, informational, entertaining and beautiful maps of Africa, Esri said.

    “We are deeply committed to helping the people of Africa discover, explore, and understand the vast information available to them through the power of maps,” said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president. “Through this service, we hope to provide our users with the benefit of ongoing developments and investments at Esri so they can foster missions to the best of their abilities.”

    To learn more about the Africa GeoPortal and Esri’s commitment to supporting the global community in the quest for sustainability through better mapping and location intelligence, visit go.esri.com/africa_geoportal.

    Photo: Esri

  • Thank you for registering.

    Thank you for registering for the upcoming GPS World webinar, “Location’s Role in the Internet of Things,” brought to you by Swift Navigation.

    A link to the live event will be sent to you two hours before the event. Your personalized event URL will be automatically generated by the ON24 system. To ensure receipt of the email, please whitelist this email address by adding it to your contacts: [email protected].

    This presentation will begin on at 1 p.m. EST /  10 a.m. PST on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

    Audience members may arrive 15 minutes prior to live time. If you have any questions, please contact event producer Kelly Limpert at [email protected].

  • STMicroelectronics offers high-accuracy MEMS sensors

    STMicroelectronics is offering new high-stability MEMS sensors for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

    The new sensors, to be made available sometime this year, begin with the IIS3DHHC, a 3-axis accelerometer optimized for high measurement resolution and stability to ensure accuracy over time and temperature.

    The IIS3DHHC targets precision inclinometers in antenna-positioning mechanisms for communication systems, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) equipment for keeping buildings and bridges safe, and stabilizers or levelers for a wide variety of industrial platforms.

    Its long-term accuracy and robustness are also suitable for high-sensitivity tilt and security sensors, as well as image stabilization in high-end digital still cameras (DSCs), the company said.

    STMicroelectronics also provides what it calls “product longevity” to assure long-term availability of components in industrial equipment.

    The IIS3DHHC has a full scale of ±2.5 g and is capable of providing the measured accelerations to the application through an SPI 4-wire digital interface.

    The sensing element is manufactured using a dedicated micromachining process developed by STMicroelectronics to produce inertial sensors and actuators on silicon wafers.

    The IC interface is manufactured using a CMOS process that allows a high level of integration to design a dedicated circuit which is trimmed to better match the characteristics of the sensing element.

    The IIS3DHHC is available in a high-performance (low-stress) ceramic cavity land grid array (CC LGA) package and can operate within a temperature range of -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius.

    Key Features of the IIS3DHHC

    • Included in the 10-year longevity program
    • 3-axis, ±2.5 g full-scale
    • Ultra-low noise performance: 45 µg/√Hz
    • Excellent stability over temperature (<0.4 mg/°C) and time
    • 16-bit data output
    • SPI 4-wire digital output interface
    • Embedded FIFO (depth 32 levels)
    • Embedded temperature sensor
    • 12-bit temperature data output
    • High shock survivability
    • Extended operating temperature range (-40 °C to +85 °C)
    • ECOPACK, RoHS and “Green” compliant

    “These high-quality industrial sensors leverage our investments in MEMS design and high-yield fabrication processes to deliver superior performance with low ownership costs for applications where the highest precision, repeatability and robustness are critical,” said Andrea Onetti, group VP and general manager, MEMS Sensors Division, STMicroelectronics. “We will continue to introduce new types of precision sensors for industrial applications in the coming months, covered by our 10-year longevity commitment, including combination sensors, specialized sensors and complete inertial modules.”

    The IIS3DHHC is in production now, in a high-quality 16-lead 5 mm x 5 mm x 1.7 mm ceramic LGA package, priced from $4.50 for orders of 1000 pieces.

     

  • Copernicus Sentinel-3B delivers first images

    News from the European Space Agency

    Less than two weeks after it was launched, the Copernicus Sentinel-3B satellite has delivered its first images of Earth. Exceeding expectations, this first set of images include the sunset over Antarctica, sea ice in the Arctic and a view of northern Europe.

    One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3B’s first images featured Greenland. Captured on May 7, 2018, at 13:20 GMT (15:20 CEST), the image shows sea ice swirled into eddies caused by the wind and ocean currents. The image was taken by the satellite’s ocean and land colour Instrument, which features 21 distinct bands, a resolution of 300 m and a swath width of 1270 km. The instrument can be used to monitor aquatic biological productivity and marine pollution, and over land it can be used to monitor the health of vegetation. (Image: ESA)
    One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3B’s first images featured Greenland. Captured on May 7, 2018, at 13:20 GMT (15:20 CEST), the image shows sea ice swirled into eddies caused by the wind and ocean currents. The image was taken by the satellite’s ocean and land colour Instrument, which features 21 distinct bands, a resolution of 300 m and a swath width of 1270 km. The instrument can be used to monitor aquatic biological productivity and marine pollution, and over land it can be used to monitor the health of vegetation. (Image: ESA)

    The very first image, captured on May 7 at 10:33 GMT (12:33 CEST), shows the transition between day and night over the Weddell Sea in Antarctica. The satellite also captured swirls of sea ice off Greenland on the same day. Another in this first set of images offers a rare cloud-free view of northern Europe.

    They were taken by the satellite’s ocean and land colour instrument, which features 21 distinct bands, a resolution of 300 m and a swath width of 1270 km. The instrument can be used to monitor aquatic biological productivity and marine pollution, and over land it can be used to monitor the health of vegetation.

    Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, said, “The launch of Sentinel-3B completed the first batch of Sentinels that we are delivering for Copernicus.

    “We finished the launch and early orbit phase in a record time and we are now getting on with the task of commissioning the satellite for service.

    “These first images from the ocean and land colour instrument already show how the satellite is set to play its role in providing a stream of high-quality environmental data to improve lives, boost the economy and protect our world.”

    The Copernicus Sentinel-3B satellite captured this rare cloud-free view of Northern Europe on May 8, 2018, at 09:33 GMT (11:33 CEST). Features over land and water can been seen clearly such as different types of land cover, snow and also a plume of phytoplankton in the North Sea. The image was taken by the satellite’s ocean and land color Instrument. (Image: ESA)
    The Copernicus Sentinel-3B satellite captured this rare cloud-free view of Northern Europe on May 8, 2018, at 09:33 GMT (11:33 CEST). Features over land and water can been seen clearly such as different types of land cover, snow and also a plume of phytoplankton in the North Sea. The image was taken by the satellite’s ocean and land color Instrument. (Image: ESA)

    The Sentinel-3B satellite lifted off from Russia on 25 April and joins it identical twin, Sentinel-3A, in orbit. This pairing of satellites increases coverage and data delivery for the European Union’s Copernicus environment programme.

    As the workhorse mission for Copernicus, the two satellites carry the same suite of instruments to systematically measure Earth’s oceans, land, ice and atmosphere.

    Over oceans, it measures the temperature, colour and height of the sea surface as well as the thickness of sea ice. These measurements are used, for example, to monitor changes in Earth’s climate and for more hands-on applications such as for monitoring marine pollution.

    Over land, this innovative mission monitors wildfires, maps the way land is used, checks vegetation health and measures the height of rivers and lakes.

    European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Elzbieta Bienkowska, said, “This new satellite will deliver valuable images of how our oceans and land are changing.

    “This will not only speed up the response to natural disasters, but also create new business opportunities. Earth observation is a larger market than you would think – a driver for research discoveries, a provider of highly skilled jobs and a developer of innovative services and applications.”

    One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3B’s first images featured Greenland. Captured on May 7, 2018, at 13:20 GMT (15:20 CEST), the image shows sea ice swirled into eddies caused by the wind and ocean currents, and was taken by the satellite’s ocean and land color Instrument. (Image: ESA)
    One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3B’s first images featured Greenland. Captured on May 7, 2018, at 13:20 GMT (15:20 CEST), the image shows sea ice swirled into eddies caused by the wind and ocean currents, and was taken by the satellite’s ocean and land color Instrument. (Image: ESA)

    Bruno Berruti, ESA’s Sentinel-3 Project Manager, said, “We are extremely pleased to see these first images, which show that the satellite is in good health.

    “ESA will spend the next five months carefully calibrating the instruments and commissioning the satellite for service before it is handed over to Eumetsat for routine operations.”

    During this commission phase the two Sentinel-3 satellites will be flown in a tandem formation, separated by about 30 seconds.

    Sentinel-3B will then be phased to reach its final position – flying in the same orbit, but adjusted to be separated by 140° with respect to Sentinel-3A.

    Once commissioned, ESA will hand over satellite operations to Eumetsat. It will then be managed jointly, with ESA generating the land products and Eumetsat the marine products for application through the Copernicus services.

    Alain Ratier, Director-General of Eumetsat, added, “The Sentinel-3 constellation establishes the European backbone of a space-based, global ocean-monitoring system.

    “These first images are the first demonstration that Sentinel-3B will deliver on its promise to usher in a new era for operational oceanography and flow-on benefits for human safety, businesses and industry.

    “They will amplify the benefits of the Sentinel 3 mission for ocean forecasting and the blue economy.”

    Sentinel-3B is the seventh Sentinel satellite launched for Copernicus. Each mission carries different state-of-the-art technology to deliver a stream of complementary imagery and data to monitor the environment.

  • State, local and tribal governments to test UAVs for FAA

    Ten state, local and tribal governments have been named to conduct flight tests as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program.

    “We know our diverse new partners will help us address a broad range of complex drone integration challenges,” said FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell. “The fields that could see immediate opportunities from the program include commerce, photography, emergency management, public safety, precision agriculture and infrastructure inspections.”

    The 10 programs are:

    • Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durant, Oklahoma
    • City of San Diego, California
    • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority, Herndon, Virginia
    • Kansas Department of Transportation
    • Lee County Mosquito Control District
    • Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority
    • North Carolina Department of Transportation
    • North Dakota Department of Transportation
    • City of Reno, Nevada
    • University of Alaska-Fairbanks

    Over the next two and a half years, the selectees will collect drone data involving night operations, flights over people and beyond the pilot’s line of sight, package delivery, detect-and-avoid technologies and the reliability and security of data links between pilot and aircraft.

    The data collected from these operations will help the FAA:

    • craft new enabling rules that allow more complex low-altitude operations,
    • identify ways to balance local and national interests related to UAS integration,
    • improve communications with local, state and tribal jurisdictions,
    • address security and privacy risks, and
    • accelerate the approval of operations that currently require special authorizations.

    First announced in October 2017, the White House initiative partners the FAA with local, state and tribal governments, which then partner with private industry to safely explore the further integration of drone operations.

    The program will help tackle the most significant challenges to integrating drones into the national airspace and will reduce risks to public safety and security.

    Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), issued the following statement on the announcement of the participants selected for the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program:

    “The participants selected for the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program represent a commitment by governments at all levels to safely and efficiently integrate UAS into the national airspace. As more and more businesses and public institutions embrace UAS, it is more important than ever to have a process in which states, municipalities and tribal governments can provide input on federal policy without infringing on the U.S. government’s jurisdiction over the airspace.

    “The data the participants will collect on UAS operations will help shape a national UAS policy framework, including for a UAS traffic management system and expanded UAS operations such as flying over people or beyond line of sight,” Wynne said. “We look forward to seeing the results of their work and the contributions these groups will make to keeping our skies safe.”

    According to AUVSI, the potential economic benefit of drones in the nation’s air space, in less than a decade, is estimated at $82 billion and could create 100,000 jobs.

    Drone maker DJI issued a statement saying it looks forward to the advances in drone regulatory procedures that will be enabled by the innovative proposals offered by the 10 state, local and tribal governments.

    “Regulators and governments want to develop safe systems that encourage the beneficial uses of drones while addressing concerns about them, and today’s announcement is a major step forward in this effort,” said Brendan Schulman, DJI vice president of Policy & Legal Affairs. “By connecting state, local and tribal governments with industry partners and federal support, the Integration Pilot Program makes it easier to find ways for American businesses, governments and individuals to put drones to good uses all across the country.”