An ADS-B Emergency Respone System for NextGen Airspace Safety, Phase I

FAA NextGencontrollers can employ the ADS-B datalink to send aircraft flight plans guiding the around traffic conflicts that the on-board system hasn't seen or hasn't resolved quickly by ATC standards. The emergency function that has 2 features; 1, if the on-board system detects an anomaly it will initiate a priority message and datastream to report a potential safety problem to NextGen ATC controllers; 2 in event of rapid airspace congestion issues ATC can use such a priority datalink to re-route the aircraft. This emergency route to the nearest suitable airport will avoid traffic, restricted airspace, weather and terrain.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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