NASA’s Langley Aerodrome No. 8 (LA-8) is essentially a distributed all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone currently being used for wind tunnel testing as well as free flight testing at the agency’s Langley Research Center. The goal of this project is to create a low-cost, modular test bed for technologies in the area of Advanced Air Mobility which includes electric urban and short regional flight.
This eVTOL was specially designed so that NASA researchers can try as many different technologies as needed in order to gather data to better understand how electric aircraft can help make Urban Air Mobility become a reality. Important tests include studying how to help an aircraft land safely after losing a propeller or an electric motor and also finding ways to handle gusty wind conditions. We just hope that the Porsche Vision Renndienst gets turned into a flying aircraft of sorts in the future.
DJI Mini SE – Camera Drone with 3-Axis Gimbal, 2.7K Camera, GPS, 30-min Flight Time, Reduced Weight, Less Than 0.55lbs / 249 gram Mini Drone, Improved Scale 5 Wind Resistance, Gray
- Light as a Smartphone – Weighing less than 0 55lbs / 249 grams, DJI Mini SE is roughly the same weight as the smartphone. In the United States and Canada, you can fly this camera drone without the need to register your drone with the local government.
- Capture on the Go – The lightweight and powerful DJI Mini SE camera drone is the ideal for creators on the move. The ultra-portable design allows you to effortlessly capture moments in unforgettable ways.
- More Time in the Sky – DJI Mini SE’s weight allows it to stay in the air longer than similar consumer drones on the market. Enjoy up to 30 minutes of flight time with a fully-charged battery.
- Capture the Detail – DJI Mini SE supports 12MP aerial photos and 2.7K HD videos. A 3-axis motorized gimbal provides superior camera stability and ensures clear ultra-smooth footage.
- Upgraded Wind Resistance – DJI Mini SE can resist 29-38kph winds and take off at a max altitude of 4,000 meters, so your footage is stable even when flying along a windy coastline or high above an alpine forest.
The 65 pound LA-8 UAS has an extensive data recording system that can record many flight parameters including airspeed, altitude, pilot inputs, flight control outputs, IMU data, power use, and motor RPM,” said NASA.