NASA Showcases Alta-X Drone at Miramar Air Show, Drawing 20,000 Visitors

The NASA tent at the Miramar Air Show in San Diego became a hub of aerospace innovation last weekend, featuring the cutting-edge Alta-X drone among its exhibits. The event, which ran from September 27-29, 2024, attracted approximately 20,000 visitors eager to learn about NASA‘s latest technological advances.

Alta-X Drone Takes Center Stage

Flight controls engineer Felipe Valdez was on hand to demonstrate the Alta-X drone’s capabilities, highlighting NASA’s growing investment in unmanned aerial technology. The drone was displayed alongside other aerospace innovations, including the Innovator rover, showcasing NASA’s diverse technological portfolio.

Expert Engagement and Technical Demonstrations

“The airshow is about the people just as much as it is about the aircraft and technology,” shared Derek Abramson, chief engineer for the Subscale Flight Research Laboratory at NASA Armstrong.

The three-day event brought together experts from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Ames Research Center, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to showcase their work and engage with the public.

Educational Impact

The presence of the Alta-X drone provided visitors with hands-on exposure to advanced Drone Technology. Flight controls engineer Felipe Valdez took a leading role in explaining “the novelty of airborne instruments like the Alta-X drone” to attendees, demonstrating NASA’s commitment to public Education about drone technology.

DroneXL’s Take

The showcase of the Alta-X drone at the Miramar Air Show represents a significant step in public engagement with advanced drone technology. This kind of educational outreach is crucial for building public understanding and acceptance of drone applications in aerospace research. The event demonstrates how drone technology continues to evolve and integrate into mainstream aviation, showing promising applications for both research and practical applications.

What did you think about NASA’s display of the Alta-X drone at the Miramar Air Show? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Photo courtesy of NASA.