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Every second counts in the life-saving world of medical transplants. To help address that urgency, NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia,\u00a0is teaming up with\u00a0the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)\u00a0to explore faster, more reliable ways to\u00a0transport donor\u00a0organs using advanced aviation technologies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
NASA Langley and UNOS will collaborate under a new Space Act Agreement announced during a ceremony Tuesday at UNOS\u2019 headquarters in Richmond, Va.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The partnership brings together NASA\u2019s\u00a0expertise\u00a0in aviation research and UNOS\u2019 role at the center of the U.S. transplant network.\u00a0UNOS is a nonprofit organization that manages parts of the national organ donation and transplant system under contract with the federal government and has long supported innovation across the system.<\/p>\n
While organs are routinely transported between cities by aircraft, ground logistics\u00a0can introduce time-sensitive challenges, especially in congested or hard-to-reach areas. Through this agreement, NASA will apply its aeronautics\u00a0expertise\u00a0and flight research capabilities to evaluate whether drones can help reduce those delays,\u00a0improve delivery timelines, potentially improving medical outcomes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a chance to apply NASA Langley technology to a\u00a0real-world\u00a0problem that can save people\u2019s lives who are waiting for transplants,\u201d said John Koelling,\u00a0director,\u00a0Aeronautics Research\u00a0Directorate\u00a0at NASA Langley.\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s nothing more rewarding than seeing your technical work\u00a0have a\u00a0positive\u00a0impact on people\u2019s lives.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The collaboration focuses on identifying key challenges in organ transportation and determining how NASA-developed tools such\u00a0as advanced modeling, flight\u00a0planning, sensing technologies, and safety systems can help. It allows UNOS and NASA to design research that meets medical field standards.<\/p>\n
The work also includes evaluating how drones perform when carrying sensitive biological materials in realistic environments.\u00a0The first test will be conducted using NASA Langley\u2019s City Environment Range Testing for Autonomous Integrated Navigation (CERTAIN), which\u00a0provides\u00a0a unique capability to safely fly\u00a0drones\u00a0in real-world conditions beyond visual line of sight\u00a0(BVLOS)\u00a0without the need for ground-based spotters.\u00a0This capability enables researchers to explore longer-distance and more complex delivery scenarios that better reflect the time-sensitive nature of organ transport.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After\u00a0the\u00a0initial\u00a0flight evaluations, an animal\u00a0test organ will be\u00a0assessed\u00a0to\u00a0determine\u00a0whether it\u00a0remains\u00a0viable\u00a0for transplant, including assessing factors such as temperature stability and potential tissue damage caused by a lack of blood flow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea that something of worldwide benefit could be created in our own backyard is pretty exciting,\u201d Koelling\u00a0said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
For NASA, the agreement\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0how technologies developed for aviation and space can directly\u00a0benefit\u00a0people on Earth.\u00a0For UNOS, the partnership reflects its commitment to exploring innovative solutions to strengthen the organ donation and transplant system.<\/p>\n
If early drone testing proves successful, the\u00a0partnership may expand to further evaluate operational feasibility and scalability, helping determine whether\u00a0drones\u00a0could become a viable\u00a0option\u00a0for time-critical medical deliveries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels great that we\u2019ve made real steps forward in research that\u00a0is\u00a0paving the way for life-saving measures using drones,\u201d said Lena Pascale, regional partnerships lead, Strategic Partnerships Office\u00a0at NASA Langley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As this collaboration progresses, it highlights how NASA\u00a0Langley\u2019s research and expertise could revolutionize the medical transplant process, make a lasting impact on patient care, and save lives.<\/p>\n