NASA Develops High-Altitude Air Traffic Management System

NASA is developing an air traffic management system for high-altitude airspace, specifically for operations at 50,000 feet or higher. This initiative aims to increase accessibility to these altitudes for various sectors, including telecommunications and emergency response, by addressing the current manual and fragmented nature of high-altitude air traffic management.

Aircraft operating at these altitudes, approximately 10,000 to 20,000 feet above most commercial traffic, offer capabilities such as delivering internet connectivity to underserved regions and providing early warnings for disasters like floods.

For these applications, aircraft often require "station-keeping," which involves remaining in a specific geographic area for extended periods.

System Capabilities and Collaborative Development

The system NASA is developing provides shared airspace awareness, identifies potential conflicts, and facilitates cooperative conflict resolution among multiple operators. This is intended to ensure safe operations for aircraft, including balloons and airships, operating in the high-altitude environment.

NASA is collaborating with industry partners Aerostar and Sceye, both developers and operators of high-altitude aircraft, to evaluate the system. This collaboration leverages NASA's extensive expertise in air traffic management.

Simulation Paves Way for Future Operations

In a 2025 simulation conducted at NASA Ames, researchers tested the system's data-sharing efficiency among operators of lighter-than-air vehicles. NASA, Aerostar, and Sceye acted as operators, sharing live flight data and telemetry from an Aerostar stratospheric balloon operating at 66,500 feet above Sioux Falls, South Dakota, during the test.

The simulation advanced previous tests by incorporating improved flight-intent visualization, conflict detection, and real-time flight data. Researchers also examined operator decision-making during overlapping aircraft trajectories to help establish essential rules and guidelines for safer high-altitude operations.

This work expands upon NASA's longstanding contributions to air traffic management and its initiatives focused on drone operations. NASA plans to share the results and lessons learned from the simulation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assist in developing approaches for accessible, safe, and scalable higher airspace operations.

The ultimate goal is to create a framework that supports new commercial, scientific, and humanitarian missions.