UND Aerospace, Grand Sky partner on NASA weather project
A group of UND Atmospheric Science researchers has entered a NASA-funded research partnership with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) business park Grand Sky, to enhance weather forecasting for drone flights and missions.
The team, led by Mounir Chrit, research atmospheric sciences professor, will receive UAS-collected data from Grand Sky using the “Meteodrone,” a small data collection aerial platform, which they will use to build an advanced, high-fidelity forecasting system to support decision making for UAS flights and missions. This collaboration is part of a larger NASA-funded project aimed at advancing the capabilities of UAS in intense, complex and uncertain environments.
“North Dakota is all about UAS,” Chrit said. “What we are building at UND is not just about flying drones, it’s about providing well-calibrated systems that support decision making under uncertainty. Our work will enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of UAS missions, creating a model for the future of aviation.”
The partnership focuses on utilizing UAS data to enhance forecasting systems that will enable more precise decision making in various mission-critical applications, including weather related challenges and airspace management. By leveraging North Dakota’s robust UAS ecosystem, this project will provide crucial insights into managing UAS operations in unpredictable conditions.
The integration of real-time UAS data into forecasting systems is expected to pave the way for more accurate flight planning, especially in challenging weather conditions. This innovative approach aligns with NASA’s goal to improve UAS capabilities and ensure safer, more efficient integration into the national airspace system.
