Michael Mewhinney					Sept. 22, 1999
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA				
(Phone:Ê 650/604-3937, 650/604-9000)
mmewhinney@mail.arc.nasa.gov	

RELEASE:Ê 99-56
NASA ROTORCRAFT VISIONARIES LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Imagine it's the year 2025.Ê In the sky above are dozens of miniature
robotic helicopters measuring only two to three inches in size darting
about as you stroll to your one-person "roto-mobile" to begin your daily
commute to your downtown office.

Sound farfetched?Ê Believe it or not, these are some of the potential
changes we may see during the new millennium, according to a group of
visionary scientists and engineers at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett
Field, CA.Ê The group met recently to forecast the future of rotorcraft
and other vehicles with a vertical flight capability.

"During this brainstorming session, it became apparent that there will be
significant market potential for two very different classes of vertical
flight vehicles: ultra-small-scale vehicles operating autonomously and
larger-scale, 'user-friendly' vehicles capable of carrying a significant
payload," explained Ed Aiken, chief of the Army/NASA Rotorcraft division
at Ames.

According to NASA rotorcraft engineers, there is enormous potential for
developing miniature robotic rotorcraft.Ê Potential uses include
atmospheric sensing, such as wind shear detection and meteorological
measurements, stealthy urban warfare surveillance, operating in
contaminated environments unsuitable for humans and planetary exploration
as "astronaut agents."Ê Other possible uses include immigration, drug
enforcement and public safety.

"Rotorcraft are a particularly appealing class of vehicle for these
miniature robots because they exhibit significant aerodynamic advantages
at these small scales over their fixed-wing aircraft counterparts," Aiken
said.Ê "As NASA's lead center for information technology and rotorcraft,
Ames is well-positioned for its role in the development of this
high-payoff technology."

NASA visionaries also see the potential for "roto-mobiles" to serve as
personal transportation systems of the future.Ê These vehicles could be
built for one or multiple passengers with the ability to take off and land
vertically and to be operated either autonomously or manually with
"car-like" controls.ÊÊ The military could use these vehicles to bypass
obstacles such as land mines, blocked roads, impassable bridges or large
areas of water, and for search and rescue operations.

Other potential uses for "roto-mobiles" include employing them to provide
"instant-response" medical attention, to add a third, vertical dimension
for sport utility vehicles, to deliver packages rapidly, and to provide
transportation to and from airports. They could also be used to help
construct and maintain power lines, bridges and multi-story buildings.

Larger roto-mobiles might be used for such agricultural tasks as planting,
spraying and harvesting, to detect and extract land mines, conduct search
and rescue operations in adverse weather conditions and participate in
major chemical and biological cleanups.

"With its expertise in rotorcraft aeromechanics and control, human factors
and air traffic management, Ames is particularly well-qualified to
participate in the advanced technology development required for a
successful roto-mobile," Aiken said.

Consistent with this vision, NASA Ames recently signed a Non-Reimbursable
Space Act Agreement with Millennium Jet, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, to
cooperate in the development of the SoloTrek Exo-Skeletor Flying Vehicle,
a one-person air scooter.

"We are interested in further developing vertical flight technologies from
large transports to personal transportation systems," said William
Warmbrodt, chief of the Rotorcraft Division's Aeromechanics Branch at NASA
Ames.Ê "NASA will support the company's efforts in engineering, technology
and testing, giving advice when asked," he said.

"We have all been dreaming of such a vehicle for many years, and now the
dream has the potential to become a reality," said Michael Moshier,
founder and CEO of Millennium Jet, Inc.Ê He said the company is now ground
testing a prototype and that flight tests could occur later this year or
early next year.Ê Details about the air scooter are available at:
http://www.solotrek.com

Aiken cautioned that several obstacles must be overcome before the
visionaries' ideas become reality.Ê "The whole concept of miniature flying
vehicles is in its infancy and achieving autonomous, hummingbird-bird-like
flight presents significant aerodynamic and flight controls challenges,"
Aiken said.Ê "In addition, the concept of the mini-robo-rotorcraft can
only become reality once these miniature vehicles are accepted by the
public as being of significant value in improving the quality of life,
safe and environmentally-friendly.
	
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