UND Aerospace, Grand Sky partner on NASA weather project
Project aims to ‘enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability of UAS missions,’ creating ‘model for the future of aviation’
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.
Marwa Majdi, research assistant professor of Atmospheric Sciences and co-principal investigator of the NASA project, said using the Meteodrone is the perfect way to capture data from where most UAS fly.
“UAS-collected data is important to fill data gaps in the low-altitude atmosphere where most UAS flights take place,” she said.
Grand Sky, known for its cutting-edge infrastructure and proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base, is the ideal environment for this type of pioneering work. As a hub for UAS technology, Grand Sky continues to attract industry leaders and provide a collaborative space for the development of next-generation uncrewed systems.
Tom Swoyer, president of Grand Sky, said enhanced weather forecasting system is crucial to the future of UAs development.
“As the first large-scale commercial UAS test park in the nation, providing aircrews with the most accurate weather information possible is of paramount importance to various UAS industry stakeholders,” Swoyer said.
Chrit said the collaboration with Grand Sky highlights North Dakota’s position at the forefront of UAS development in the world.
“Along with recent initiatives and advancements, we are strengthening our state’s claim as the most drone-friendly place in the country,” he said. “The future of UAS technology is being built here, and it’s exciting to lead this important part of it.”
This partnership is a key part of ongoing efforts to drive innovation in UAS technologies and enhance the state’s leadership in the growing drone industry.
