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Instrumentation
WindiWing: Atmospheric Data Collection Line Climber
This innovative kite system is called the WindiWing, and utilizes aerodynamic forces and moments to control its configuration for both ascent and descent, eliminating the need for an external power source or human intervention. By harnessing wind power, the system autonomously climbs and descends along a pilot kite line, provided sufficient wind conditions exist.
Windiwing includes a set of stops at predetermined upper and lower bounds of the kite line, which define the highest and lowest points the WindiWing can travel. When a stop is hit, the WindiWing changes direction. Therefore, it can sustain extended flight times at different altitudes. Unlike prior solutions, WindiWing is a passive line-climber operating entirely through aero-mechanical principles and does not require electrical power or active control systems for changes in lift. Instead, WindiWing continuously moves between the designated stops along the kite tether, maintaining stable and predictable movement without the need for remote operation or onboard power.
WindiWing is designed with flexibility in mind, offering the ability to carry a range of instrumentation, making it suitable for integration with kite-based systems, tethered balloons, or uncrewed aircraft platforms. The absence of electrical components reduces complexity, enhances reliability, and allows for extended atmospheric data collection with minimal oversight.
By offering a scalable, cost-effective, and power-independent solution, this technology enables long-duration atmospheric profiling at various altitudes, making it an ideal tool for researchers in the fields of atmospheric research, environmental research, and education.
aerospace
Universal Data Compiler for Drone, Sensor, and System Data Integration
The Universal Data Compiler (UDC) is a flexible, data-agnostic platform designed to integrate, process, and analyze information from diverse Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Developed by the Federal Aviation Administration, the UDC seamlessly consolidates data streams from multiple drone types and sensors, offering automatic configuration, priority-driven task execution, and customizable reporting. This innovation enables improved operational coordination, mission planning, and decision-making in complex environments such as emergency response, agriculture, and infrastructure monitoring.
Information Technology and Software
Near-Real Time Verification and Validation of Autonomous Flight Operations
NASA's Extensible Traffic Management (xTM) system allows for distributed management of the airspace where disparate entities collaborate to maintain a safe and accessible environment. This digital ecosystem relies on a common data generation and transfer framework enabled by well-defined data collection requirements, algorithms, protocols, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The key components in this new paradigm are:
Data Standardization: Defines the list of data attributes/variables that are required to inform and safely perform the intended missions and operations.
Automated Real Time And/or Post-Flight Data Verification Process: Verifies system criteria, specifications, and data quality requirements using predefined, rule-based, or human-in-the-loop verification.
Autonomous Evolving Real Time And/or Post-Flight Data Validation Process: Validates data integrity, quantity, and quality for audit, oversight, and optimization.
The verification and validation process determines whether an operation’s performance, conformance, and compliance are within known variation. The technology can verify thousands of flight operations in near-real time or post flight in the span of a few minutes, depending on networking and computing capacity. In contrast, manual processing would have required hours, if not days, for a team of 2-3 experts to review an individual flight.



