In this episode of Weekly Wings, hosts Paul Rossi, Samuel Stansberry, and Terry Neff dive into the latest developments in drone technology, space exploration, and public safety. They kick off with Sierra Space’s groundbreaking technology to extract oxygen from lunar soil, a major advancement that could enable sustainable human presence on the moon by providing vital oxygen for both humans and rocket fuel without needing to transport it from Earth - https://www.sierraspace.com/press-releases/sierra-space-unveils-breakthrough-technology-designed-to-extract-oxygen-from-lunar-soil/

Next, they turn their attention to Pinehurst, North Carolina’s upcoming holiday-themed drone light show, where a dazzling aerial display will be accompanied by family-friendly activities like carnival rides, glow putting, and alpine tubing—perfect for kicking off the festive season https://www.pinehurst.com/events/festive-in-flight-a-holiday-drone-show-celebration/

In the tech spotlight, the hosts explore Zipline’s innovative P2 delivery system, which utilizes a two-part drone—a larger “zip” and a smaller tethered “droid”—to revolutionize fast, efficient, and sustainable deliveries. With rigorous testing in extreme environments, Zipline is setting a new standard for commercial and healthcare drone services - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/20/behind-the-scenes-of-ziplines-new-p2-system-a-look-at-drone-delivery-innovation-video/

The discussion then shifts to the military sector, where the U.S. Army has selected the Ghost X and C100 drones for tactical operations. These drones are set to enhance the Army's surveillance and operational capabilities, further cementing the role of unmanned systems in modern warfare - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/17/u-s-army-selects-new-small-uncrewed-aircraft-systems-for-company-level-use/ and https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2024/09/army-embraces-ukraine-style-warfare-new-all-drone-unit/399679/

The episode also covers India’s recent $3 billion drone deal with the U.S., marking a major boost to their military and surveillance operations - https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pm-modi-us-visit-as-pm-narendra-modi-and-joe-biden-hold-bilateral-talks-a-mega-drone-deal-firms-up-6620448

The team highlights the launch of a fully autonomous Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program in B Cave, Texas. This groundbreaking initiative aims to improve public safety by automating police drone deployments, showcasing the growing role of drones in emergency response - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/18/bee-cave-texas-fully-autonomous-drone-first-responder-program-set-to-launch/

On the research front, the University of Kentucky has secured a $910,000 USDA grant to explore drone technology for livestock management, specifically using drones for herding and monitoring cattle. This project highlights the expanding role of drones in agriculture and land management - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/17/university-of-kentucky-secures-grant-to-develop-drone-technology-for-cattle-management/

The hosts then cover the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) expanding its drone fleet from five to twelve drones, requiring a new cloud-based software solution to manage operations. This marks a significant step in integrating drones into accident investigations and improving data collection and fleet management - https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/ntsb-works-to-streamline-drone-program/

Finally, the episode wraps up with a discussion on the visit of 26 U.S. executives to Taiwan, where they met with local industry leaders to strengthen the drone supply chain and reduce reliance on Chinese-made components. This collaboration aims to bu...

In Episode 20 of Weekly Wings, Paul Rossi, Samuel Stansberry, and Terry Neff bring listeners the latest updates from the drone and space industries. From SpaceX's historic commercial spacewalk to the growing role of drones in disaster recovery, this episode covers an exciting range of topics. The hosts delve into cutting-edge developments like Alarm.com’s home security drone patent, Skyfire AI’s venture into AI-powered drone technology, and the expansion of drone light shows into the U.S. market. With discussions on both regulatory challenges and emerging technologies, this episode is a must-listen for drone enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

SpaceX's First Commercial Spacewalk

The episode begins with a discussion on SpaceX’s groundbreaking commercial spacewalk. The hosts highlight the significance of this event as the first non-government-led spacewalk, emphasizing the role of private companies in space exploration. They talk about the experience of the astronauts, the challenges of working in pressurized suits, and the impressive height at which they orbited—higher than the International Space Station (ISS) - https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=polarisdawn

Drone Footage in Natural Disasters

Next, the conversation shifts to the powerful impact of drones in disaster recovery efforts, with a focus on footage of recent severe weather events like Hurricane Francine. The hosts discuss how drone footage aids in real-time assessments and visual storytelling, helping emergency teams and the public better understand the extent of the damage - https://x.com/PiQSuite/status/1833052582169772061 / https://www.wdsu.com/article/watch-drone-video-shows-flooding-in-mandeville-after-hurricane-francine/62175692

Alarm.com’s Home Security Drone Patent

The tech spotlight covers Alarm.com’s recent patent for drone-based home surveillance systems. The team explores the potential of drones to enhance property security and how this new patent could transform the future of home and business security by integrating dynamic, responsive technology into existing security infrastructures - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/11/alarm-com-secures-patent-for-drone-based-pre-surveillance-enhancing-property-security-with-uav-technology/

Drone Light Shows Expand in the U.S.

The episode highlights the expansion of Canadian-based drone show company Illumin into the U.S. market. The hosts share details about recent spectacular light shows held in Toronto and Florida, emphasizing the growing demand for creative and immersive drone shows across North America - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/10/illumin-drone-shows-expands-to-u-s-with-spectacular-southern-debut/

Skyfire AI and AI-Powered Drone Technology

The episode covers the latest acquisition by Skyfire Consulting, which partnered with Echelon AI to launch Skyfire AI. This venture focuses on using AI-powered drone technology for emergency response, law enforcement, and military applications, marking an exciting step forward for the drone industry - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/12/skyfire-and-echelon-join-forces-to-launch-skyfireai-advancing-ai-powered-drone-technology/

North Carolina Drone Pilot Case Goes to Supreme Court

In the regulatory corner, the hosts revisit the ongoing legal battle involving North Carolina drone pilot Michael Jones, whose case has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Jones is fighting for the right to offer aerial imagery without being classified as a licensed surveyor, a case that could set a precedent for the drone industry nationwide - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/10/north-carolina-drone-photographer-seeks-supreme-court-support-for-first-amendment-rights/

CCP Drones Act Passes in the House

In this week's episode of Weekly Wings, hosts Paul Rossi, Samuel Stansberry, and Terry Neff cover a range of cutting-edge drone innovations and industry updates. The episode starts with a recap of Paul’s experience at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, including highlights from live flight demonstrations - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/03/live-flight-demonstrations-from-the-field-at-commercial-uav-expo/

Percepto's industrial inspection drones received FAA type certification, marking a significant step for the industry. The team highlights the growing importance of type certifications, which enhance safety and reliability for large-scale drone operations, especially in energy and infrastructure sectors - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/05/percepto-secures-faa-type-certificate-enhancing-safety-and-reliability-in-drone-operations/

The episode also dives into the partnership between Baldwin and Fruity Chutes, which is driving the development of parachute systems for drones, crucial for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. These systems aim to standardize safety measures for flights over people and critical areas, ensuring that drone operations remain compliant with evolving regulations - https://dronelife.com/2024/08/28/baldwin-and-fruity-chutes-collaborate-on-enhanced-drone-safety-solution/

In a fascinating yet concerning military application, the hosts discuss the Bullfrog Counter UAS system—an autonomous, machine-gun-equipped solution designed to neutralize hostile drones. This system represents the increasing focus on drone countermeasures in modern warfare, further emphasized by the discussion of a Ukrainian "dragon drone" dropping molten thermite on Russian positions - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/02/allen-control-systems-demonstrates-autonomous-drone-targeting-and-destruction-with-bullfrog-counter-drone-system-at-department-of-defense-event/ and https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-war-drone-russia-molten-thermite-video-1947605

On a lighter note, the Detroit Lions’ upcoming drone light show in celebration of the NFL season opener is featured, reflecting the growing popularity of drone shows in entertainment. The conversation then turns serious as the hosts address an incident where a drone interfered with a life-saving helicopter mission in Oregon, highlighting the need for responsible drone operation in emergency situations - https://www.kezi.com/news/drone-keeps-life-flight-helicopter-from-assisting-in-deadly-rollover-crash-on-i-5/article_d683f13a-6b31-11ef-907a-ef41e211a294.html

The episode wraps up with a look at North Dakota’s pioneering use of a state-wide detect-and-avoid (DAA) network to support BVLOS operations, allowing drone services to conduct long-distance flights for infrastructure and agriculture - https://dronelife.com/2024/09/02/isights-north-dakota-bvlos-approval-will-allow-company-to-expand-operations-how-it-works/

Finally, the hosts explore the use of weather drones for cloud seeding and the ongoing discussions in Congress regarding the Countering CCP Drones Act, which could impact future drone operations involving Chinese-made technology - https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/17/601/2024/#bib1.bibx50 and https://www.forbes.com/sites/johannacostigan/2024/09/05/congress-wants-to-cut-off-china-made-drones-even-though-they-save-lives/

Tune in to hear all this and more, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies shaping the world of drones.