Urban Weather Sensing Infrastructure Testbed

The TruWeather Solutions team is seeking to mitigate UAS and AAM system risk by improving the characterization of micro weather conditions in the Fort Worth area, while assessing the value of precise wind analysis and short-range predictions to AAM business operations. This effort will build upon the Hampton, VA urban weather testbed through sensor deployment refinement complemented by a rigorous implementation approach to estimate additional parameters in Ft. Worth, TX including cloud ceiling, visibility, and winds. This will include the initial development of a street-scale wind analysis and prediction system. Through these analyses, we will develop the necessary heuristics for strategic sensor deployment that maximize the benefit of these advanced systems for a variety of Advanced Air Mobility missions and support traditional aviation, among other applications. Phase II-E will extend the benefits and fill critical gaps in the commercial potential of the system being installed under the complementary Phase III. The objectives under Phase II-E include: Deploy additional weather sensor infrastructure for cloud height and cloud ceiling measurements in designated Ft Worth domain Deliver initial Street-scale Wind Analysis Prediction System (SWAPS) capability Integrate camera image sensors to improve coverage and detect cloud height and visibility Conduct an economic study to discern the value of precise wind analysis and short-range predictions to AAM business operations

NASA will find this effort useful in the National Campaign effort around Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) and in conducting planned High Density Vertiport testing and demonstrations in the Hampton Roads region. As NASA look at vertiport locations and urban flight routes, it will be crucial how different sensors can contribute to a reliable UTM ecosystem. Additionally, capabilities developed will directly contribute to NASA System Wide Safety Team mission to enable In-time system-wide safety assurance (ISSA) capabilities within the AAM ecosystem.  There is a push for “Smart Cities” initiatives in the US right now. Our sensing, modeling solutions and services fits perfectly into this concept. We can provide a scalable solution for domain-specific applications to understand what capabilities and regions are impacted by adverse or off-nominal weather conditions detected within the ecosystem. 

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.