Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

NASA drones assist in search and rescue missions in wake of Hurricane Harvey

NASA technology has been aiding the search and rescue operations and damage assessment in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston, Texas on Saturday, August 26th.

Now, as operations move into the recovery phase, drones developed and flight tested at NASA Armstrong Flight Centre in California are being used in a way that fulfills the purpose that researcher Ricardo Arteaga and his team had intended from the start - to help people.

<who>Photo Credit: NASA</who>

“When I saw the disturbing images of the flood area, people in distress and danger on the news broadcasts, I had to act,” Arteaga said. “We have performed several years of successful simulations and flight tests. The technology is ready to use and I felt it should be in Houston.”

The drones enabled personnel to get a bird’s eye view of the Houston disaster areas left by Hurricane Harvey.

According to a NASA statement, Arteaga called Kraetti Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace Systems of Oklahoma City, and asked him if he could use the technology to assist with the search and rescue mission in Houston. Within the hour, Epperson was packed and on his way.

<who>Photo Credit: NASA Photo / Lauren Hughes</who> Ricardo Arteaga and Hong Truong

A group of eight volunteer UAS pilots were trained in Houston to use the technology on their eight aircraft in support of their humanitarian flights for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other organizations to help in relief efforts and document damage.

“We believe that drones can and should play a critical role in disaster relief because they provide immediate access to better data, mapping and situational awareness in a way that is safer, faster and less costly than other methods of assessment,” said Epperson in a statement.

Drones equipped with the right technology are ready for search and rescue missions, Arteaga said, and in the future, they will be able to carry out more complex missions such as getting medical supplies and rescue equipment to people in distress in areas too dangerous for people to access.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
14℃

weather-icon
Mon
16℃

weather-icon
Tue
20℃

weather-icon
Wed
11℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy

Quick Links