- NASA’s IASMS system predicts and prevents airborne hazards for drones in real time, enhancing safety during complex missions like hurricane relief, wildfire response, and urban deliveries.
- Recent tests included simulations with 12 pilots and live drone flights in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation and university teams, evaluating system performance across diverse scenarios.
- Part of NASA’s broader Advanced Air Mobility mission, IASMS aims to support safe, routine drone operations nationwide alongside traffic management systems.
NASA is pushing the boundaries of drone safety with the development and testing of a new software system designed to predict and prevent airborne hazards before they occur. Known as the In-Time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS), the technology is part of a broader initiative to support the growing reliance on drones across industries such as disaster response, agriculture, and law enforcement. The system is being developed to monitor, assess, and mitigate risks in real time, ensuring drones can operate safely even beyond a pilot’s line of sight.
A key step in this development was a recent simulation conducted at NASA’s Ames Research Center. The exercise simulated a post-hurricane scenario where 12 drone pilots operated multiple drones to deliver supplies and conduct search and rescue missions. Researchers analyzed pilot performance, mission success rates, and system usability to evaluate how well IASMS could support emergency operations. This work feeds into future plans for live flight tests in hurricane relief scenarios, scheduled for 2027.
NASA has already begun real-world testing of IASMS. In 2024, the agency partnered with the Ohio Department of Transportation to conduct drone flights equipped with IASMS software. These tests helped NASA gather performance data and refine the system’s real-time communication capabilities. In separate studies, university-led teams from George Washington University, the University of Notre Dame, and Virginia Commonwealth University tested the system in diverse scenarios ranging from wildfire response to urban package delivery.
Each test featured unique missions and environmental challenges, allowing NASA to evaluate IASMS under varied conditions. The system was adapted to each scenario, demonstrating flexibility in responding to different safety needs. This modular approach could prove critical as drones become more integrated into complex airspaces and face diverse hazards.
NASA’s IASMS is part of a broader vision under the agency’s System-Wide Safety project and Advanced Air Mobility mission. Together with traffic management systems, IASMS could pave the way for routine, reliable drone operations across the U.S. By enabling drones to avoid hazards independently and maintain safe flight paths, NASA is laying the foundation for a future where drones operate seamlessly and safely in everyday life.
