NASA Launches Indoor Testing Facility for UAV Research
April 9, 2026 at 21:54
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✦ AI Summary
- Advanced WindShaper array supports low-speed flight testing
- Programmable fans create customizable wind conditions
- Optimized for detailed aerodynamic research with WindProbe
NASA's Unmanned Autonomy Research Complex (NUARC) has introduced an innovative testing facility featuring the WindShaper fan array, specifically designed for dynamic low-speed and hovering flight research. This advanced system enables researchers to generate a variety of wind gradients and gusts using a straightforward Python API.
- Comprehensive setup: The WindShaper comprises a massive 9’x7’ area with 1,134 fans, functioning as 567 ‘wind pixels’.
- Variable wind speed: Capable of producing wind speeds ranging from 0 to 16 m/s (0 to 36 mph/31 knots).
- Control and precision: Each fan’s performance can be tailored through programmable scripts, replicating steady winds and gusts for detailed analysis.
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