NASA STEM Stars: Unmanned Aircraft Systems | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA STEM Stars host David Alexander interviews Michael Logan, an aerospace engineer from NASA Langley Research Center, about his career and work on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones.

Key Insights

• 🚡 UAS, or drones, are unmanned aerial systems that have various applications, including firefighting, precision agriculture, inspections, and transportation.
• 😘 NASA's research and development on UAS focus on designing, testing, and improving different types of UAS, from fixed-wing to multi-rotor vehicles.
• 🚥 The challenges in operating UAS involve traffic management, ensuring safety, and improving the efficiency and capabilities of these aircraft.
• 👨‍🔬 UAS enable innovative solutions in different fields, such as disaster response, transportation, and scientific research.
• 🦾 Building and testing UAS require a combination of engineering skills, creative problem-solving, and a solid understanding of aerodynamics and mechanical systems.
• 🤗 NASA encourages student involvement and offers opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, and design challenges in the field of aerospace engineering.

Transcript

stem fans are you ready let's hear it for the world-class nasa stem stars team from nasa centers across the country we present michael logan hello and welcome to nasa stem stars where students connect firsthand with nasa scientists engineers and innovators to learn about nasa missions career paths and opportunities so today's topic is about uas or ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main uses of UAS in different types of missions?

UAS have numerous uses, including fire spotting, inspections of infrastructure, precision agriculture, package delivery, and even transporting human organs for transplants.

Q: How do UAS operate in Mars' conditions, such as the helicopter and Perseverance rover?

It is challenging to fly a helicopter-like vehicle on Mars due to the low density of the atmosphere. Designing a vehicle that can operate efficiently in such conditions requires innovative solutions.

Q: What are the key skills needed to become an aerospace engineer at NASA?

Creative problem-solving is essential for aerospace engineers. In addition, a good understanding of math, science, and the ability to work with mechanical systems is important.

Q: What are the future applications of UAS?

The future applications of UAS are wide-ranging, including package delivery, medical supply transport, infrastructure inspections, and urban air mobility with automated air taxis.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Logan shares his background as an aerospace engineer and his lifelong passion for airplanes and aircraft.

• He discusses the importance of UAS and their various applications, such as inspections, precision agriculture, and firefighting.

• Logan highlights specific missions he has worked on, including fire spotting in the Great Dismal Swamp and designing long-endurance aircraft for advanced air mobility.