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Eight finalist teams participating in the 2025 NASA Gateways to Blue Skies Competition have been selected to present to a panel of judges their design concepts for aviation solutions that can help the agriculture industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sponsored by NASA\u2019s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, this year\u2019s competition asked teams of university students to research new or improved aviation solutions to support agriculture. The goal of the competition, titled AgAir: Aviation Solutions for Agriculture, is to enhance production, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience to extreme weather. Participants submitted proposals and accompanying videos summarizing their AgAir concepts and describing how they could demonstrate benefits by 2035 or sooner.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe continue to see a growing interest in our competition with a tremendous response to this year\u2019s agricultural theme \u2013 so many great ideas fueled by the passion of our future workforce,\u201d said Steven Holz, NASA Aeronautics University Innovation assistant project manager and co-chair of the Gateways to Blue Skies judging panel. \u201cWe are excited to see how each finalist team fleshes out their original concept in their final papers, infographics, and presentations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The eight finalist teams will each receive stipends to facilitate their participation in the culminating Gateways to Blue Skies Forum, which will be held near NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, May 20-21 and livestreamed globally. Finalists will present to a panel of NASA and industry experts, and the winning team will have the opportunity to intern at one of NASA\u2019s aeronautics centers during the coming academic year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
steven holz<\/p>\n
NASA Aeronautics University Innovation Assistant Project Manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The finalists\u2019 projects and their universities are:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Proactive Resource\u00a0Efficiency via Coordinated Imaging and Sprayer Execution<\/strong> Precision Land Analysis and Aerial Nitrogen Treatment Pheromonal Localization Overpopulation Regulation Aircraft<\/strong> Sky Shepherd: Autonomous Aerial Cattle Monitoring<\/strong> Hog Aerial Mitigation System<\/strong> Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone<\/strong> RoboBees<\/strong> CattleLog Cattle Management System<\/strong> The agriculture industry is essential for providing food, fuel, and fiber to the global population. However, it faces significant challenges. NASA Aeronautics is committed to supporting commercial, industrial, and governmental partners in advancing aviation systems to modernize agricultural capabilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The Gateways to Blue Skies competition is sponsored by NASA\u2019s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate\u2019s University Innovation Project and is managed by the National Institute of Aerospace.\u00a0<\/p>\n More information on the competition is available on the\u00a0 AgAir: Aviation Solutions for Agriculture competition website.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Auburn University, in Alabama<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Boston University<\/p>\n
Columbia University, in New York<\/p>\n
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida<\/p>\n
Houston Community College, in Texas<\/p>\n
South Dakota State University, in Brookings<\/p>\n
University of California, Davis<\/p>\n
University of Tulsa, in Oklahoma<\/p>\n