Risk Based Trajectory Service

ATA’s proposed innovation is to create an Application Programming Interface (API)-based service that calculates Risk Based Trajectories (RiBT) by integrating multiple geospatial data sources with risk models to provide real-time geospatial risk metrics that are then optimized into risk-optimized trajectories. The RiBT will be used in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations by human Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) and Autonomous vehicles in the Flight Planning and En Route phases of flight. RiBT enhances trajectory based operations (TBO) for UAS by providing a rigorous safety facet to optimizing trajectories within the National Air Space (NAS) – enhancing “safe, end-to-end TBO”, as described in the topic and the FAA NextGen 2025 Trajectory Based Operations goals. The service based design of the proposed RiBT solution supports the service architecture design of UTM and further enables the “integration of independent systems and domains, and increasingly diverse and unconventional operations” by creating common understanding of the relative risk of the airspace. RiBT supports Thrust 1 of the AMRD Strategic Plan (NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Strategic Implementation Plan, 2019 Update) by supporting the safe integration of UAS through consistent risk assessment and application to trajectory. RiBT addresses the research theme of Safety Management and Emergent Risks in Thrust 1 by hosting and delivering multiple prognostic risk estimates, in real time, to all NAS participants; supporting safety assurance in a NAS with increased traffic volume and diversity of operations. ATA will provide a fully functional RiBT prototype at a NASA Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 with a testing and performance metrics for validation and verification. The prototype will allow NASA and Commercial evaluators to input planned flight trajectories into the prototype API and receive risk metrics and Risk Based Trajectory segments in return.

Enhanced risk management and risk integration into UAS flight planning for both human controlled and autonomous NASA UAS operations Integration and enhancement with complementary Safe2Ditch and high density vertiplex efforts Ability to study increased density through better risk management and assess and quantify events against a consistent risk metric to support UTM research and development

Enhanced risk management and integration into UAS flight planning for both human controlled and autonomous UAS operations Integrated pre-programmed risk adjusted flight and diversion routes for autonomous UAS vehicles in package delivery and public safety Metrics to support improved liability and risk management for insurance purposes Integration with commercial USS/UTM provider products

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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