Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
NASA Announces Finalists for 2025 Gateway to Blue Skies Competition
Eight university teams have been chosen as finalists in the 2025 NASA Gateways to Blue Skies Competition, where they will showcase their design concepts aimed at revolutionizing aviation solutions for the agriculture sector.
This year’s competition, organized by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, encouraged students to explore innovative aviation strategies that could bolster agricultural productivity and sustainability. The initiative, named AgAir: Aviation Solutions for Agriculture, aims to enhance efficiency and address challenges such as extreme weather conditions. Teams submitted proposals along with engaging videos that outlined their concepts and projected benefits achievable by 2035 or earlier.
“The enthusiasm for this year’s agricultural theme was remarkable, showcasing a wealth of creativity from our student teams,” remarked Steven Holz, NASA Aeronautics University Innovation assistant project manager and co-chair of the Gateways to Blue Skies judging panel. “We look forward to seeing how each finalist team develops their initial ideas into comprehensive final papers, infographics, and presentations.”
The eight finalist teams will receive stipends to assist them in their journey to the Gateways to Blue Skies Forum, set to take place on May 20-21 near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California. The event will also be livestreamed worldwide. Each team will present their concepts to a panel composed of NASA and industry experts, with the winning team securing an internship opportunity at one of NASA’s aeronautics centers during the upcoming academic year.
Steven Holz
NASA Aeronautics University Innovation Assistant Project Manager
The projects of the finalists and their associated universities include:
Proactive Resource Efficiency via Coordinated Imaging and Sprayer Execution
Auburn University, Alabama
Precision Land Analysis and Aerial Nitrogen Treatment
Boston University
Pheromonal Localization Overpopulation Regulation Aircraft
Columbia University, New York
Sky Shepherd: Autonomous Aerial Cattle Monitoring
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
Hog Aerial Mitigation System
Houston Community College, Texas
Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone
South Dakota State University, Brookings
RoboBees
University of California, Davis
CattleLog Cattle Management System
University of Tulsa, Oklahoma
The agriculture sector plays a critical role in sustaining the global population by providing food, fuel, and fibers. Despite its importance, it grapples with numerous challenges that demand innovative solutions. NASA Aeronautics is dedicated to partnering with commercial, industrial, and governmental entities to advance aviation technologies that will modernize agricultural practices.
The Gateways to Blue Skies competition is part of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s University Innovation Project and is managed by the National Institute of Aerospace.
For further details about the competition, visit the AgAir: Aviation Solutions for Agriculture competition website.
Source
www.nasa.gov