NASA’s Small Business Funding Revolutionises Aircraft Inspection with Drones

NASA’s investment in small business innovation has paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in aviation safety and efficiency. One standout success story is the collaboration between NASA, The Boeing Company, and Near Earth Autonomy, a small business that has developed drone-enabled solutions for inspecting commercial aircraft.

A Game-Changing Technology for Airline Safety

Traditionally, pre-flight inspections are time-intensive processes requiring workers to climb around aircraft, often resulting in potential safety hazards and occasional diagnostic errors. These inspections can take up to four hours to complete, causing costly delays and operational inefficiencies.

Enter Near Earth Autonomy’s innovative drone system, developed with support from NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This system, operating under the company’s Proxim business unit, performs pre-flight inspections in under 30 minutes.

How It Works

The drone autonomously flies around a commercial airliner, following a computer-programmed task card based on FAA guidelines. This ensures a precise and comprehensive inspection while reducing human involvement in hazardous tasks.

Key features include:

• Automated Flight Paths: Programmed to inspect specific areas based on FAA standards.
• Remote Analysis: High-resolution photos are collected, shared, and analysed remotely, allowing for faster repair decisions.
• Comparative Imaging: New data is matched with historical images to identify issues like cracks, leaks, and popped rivets.
• Custom Alerts: Users can create alerts for areas requiring further inspection or for failed inspections.

Significant Industry Impact

Near Earth Autonomy estimates that this technology can save the airline industry $10,000 per hour of lost earnings during unplanned ground time. Over the past six years, the drone system has undergone rigorous testing on Boeing aircraft operated by American Airlines and Emirates Airlines, proving its reliability and efficiency.

NASA’s Role in Supporting Innovation

The NASA SBIR program, managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate, provides small businesses with the funding needed to turn innovative ideas into reality. This initiative not only addresses NASA’s technological needs but also creates solutions with broad industry applications.

Danette Allen, NASA’s senior leader for autonomous systems, emphasises:

“We are excited to see this technology spin out to industry to increase efficiencies, safety, and accuracy of the aircraft inspection process for overall public benefit.”

Empowering Small Businesses

The NASA SBIR/STTR program invites small businesses and their partners to propose innovative solutions that meet NASA and industry challenges. With a focus on commercialisation, the program helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable, impactful technologies.

A Vision for the Future

Near Earth Autonomy’s drone technology is a prime example of how public-private collaboration can revolutionise industries. By leveraging NASA’s support, small businesses like Near Earth Autonomy are not only enhancing operational efficiencies but also contributing to public safety and economic growth.

This story exemplifies how innovation, collaboration, and vision can reshape industries. It’s a testament to the power of partnerships and the incredible potential of small businesses to drive meaningful change.

#AviationInnovation #NASA #SmallBusinessSuccess #AutonomousTechnology #DroneInspection #AerospaceEngineering #SBIR

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