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August 15, 2019

AMA Drone Report 08.15.19: Amazon Petition, Mavic-Mini?, Eek! Drone Flamethrower

Also: Drone Shooter, DJI Pocket, DroneResponders, Passenger Drone Test

Amazon has petitioned the FAA for a waiver from several current rules governing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to allow the company to begin delivery services with its MK27 drone. Waivers requested by Amazon would, among other things, allow the aircraft to operate without a certificate of airworthiness and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). They further request that the aircraft be exempted from rules governing altitude, VFR fuel requirements and maintenance documentation. The rumor mill is ripe with the possibility that DJI may soon be unveiling a ‘Mini-Me’ version of the popular Mavic. While many hoped to hear the announcement in the same session that revealed the latest variation of the DJI Osmo 3

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SpaceX Could Be Test-Flying 'Starhopper' This Weekend

TFR Suggests That Another Test 'Hop' Is Likely

The very rudimentary test vehicle designed to prove some of the capabilities of SpaceX's next generation rocket system may be trying for a little more altitude this weekend. Known as "Starhopper', the vehicle is but a small part of what eventually be a major space transport system... with other versions already under construction in Texas and Florida. Elon Musk hopes to see the vehicle in service as early as 2021. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has mentioned that the test vehicle will attempt to reach an altitude of 650 feet and return under power, much like the capabilities already demonstrated by a large number of Falcon 9 first stages over the past few years. Starhopper made at least one known test hop, July

NASA Missions to Begin in 2021

Sierra Nevada Corporation has selected United Launch Alliance (ULA) as the launch vehicle provider for the Dream Chaser spacecraft’s six NASA missions to the International Space Station. The Dream Chaser will launch aboard ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rockets for its cargo resupply and return services to the space station, starting in 2021. Under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract, the Dream Chaser will deliver more than 12,000 pounds of pressurized and unpressurized cargo to the space station and remains attached for up to 75 days as an orbiting laboratory. Once the mated mission is complete, the Dream Chaser disposes about 7,000 pounds of space station trash and returns large quantitie

Promised Update May Reveal Additional Details Of Renewed Interest In Lunar Return Mission

You might want to make some time to check this out on the web... NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, joined by U.S. Representatives Mo Brooks, Robert Aderholt, Scott DesJarlais and Brian Babin, will discuss updates on the agency’s plans for landing humans on the Moon by 2024 through the Artemis program at 3:10 p.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 16. The remarks will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.