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Safe2Ditch Autonomous Crash Management System for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems: Concept Definition and Flight Test ResultsSmall unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) have the potential for a large array of highly-beneficial applications. These applications are too numerous to comprehensively list, but include search and rescue, fire spotting, precision agriculture, etc. to name a few. Typically sUAS vehicles weigh less than 55 lbs and will be performing flight operations in the National Air Space (NAS). Certain sUAS applications, such as package delivery, will include operations in the close proximity of the general public. The full benefit from sUAS is contingent upon the resolution of several technological areas in order to provide an acceptable level of risk for widespread sUAS operations. Operations of sUAS vehicles pose risks to people and property on the ground as well as manned aviation. Several of the more significant sUAS technological areas include, but are not limited to: autonomous sense and avoid and deconfliction of sUAS from other sUAS and manned aircraft, communications and interfaces between the vehicle and human operators, and the overall reliability of the sUAS and constituent subsystems. While all of the technological areas listed contribute significantly to the safe execution of the sUAS flight operations, contingency or emergency systems can greatly contribute to sUAS risk mitigations to manage situations where the vehicle is in distress. The Safe2Ditch (S2D) system is an autonomous crash management system for sUAS. Its function is to enable sUAS to execute emergency landings and avoid injuring people on the ground, damaging property, and lastly preserving the sUAS and payload. A sUAS flight test effort was performed to test the integration of sub-elements of the S2D system with a representative sUAS multi-rotor.
Document ID
20180008439
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Glaab, Louis J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Glaab, Patricia C. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Lusk, Parker C. (Brigham Young Univ. Provo, UT, United States)
Petty, Bryan J. (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Beard, Randall W. (Brigham Young Univ. Provo, UT, United States)
Dolph, Chester V. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
McSwain, Robert G. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
December 14, 2018
Publication Date
November 1, 2018
Subject Category
Air Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2018-220110
L-20971
NF1676L-31598
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 334005.05.10.07.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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