As climate change increasingly influences the frequency and severity of natural disasters on a global scale, opportunities to contribute at the intersection of technological advancement, aviation, and natural disasters grow in both number and importance. NASA Aeronautics is dedicated to expanding its efforts to assist commercial, industry, and government partners in advancing aviation-related systems that could help prepare for natural disasters, lessen their impacts, and speed up recovery efforts.

The 2024 Blue Skies Competition challenged teams to conceptualize, in terms of feasibility and viability, aviation-related system(s) that could be applied by 2035 to one phase of management of a chosen type of natural disaster to improve capabilities. Teams of collegiate students were encouraged to consider high-potential technologies and systems that aren’t currently mainstream or highly regarded as becoming mainstream in the future.

Current technology utilized on or with aviation platforms for disaster management is often outdated. Opportunities exist to improve currently deployed systems and/or implement technologies or technology applications from other places to modernize aviation’s capabilities in natural disaster work. Similarly, conditions exist along the gamut of natural disasters where improvements to existing aviation-based systems or new systems and technologies could greatly improve the impact of our natural disaster management. 

Based on the review of research paper submissions, 8 teams were chosen to present their findings in a competitive design review during the Gateways to Blue Skies Forum at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA on May 30-31, 2024. Each finalist team received a monetary award to facilitate full participation in the Forum. Members from the winning teams earned internship opportunities with NASA’s ARMD.