NASA SATS Program
A small SATS Airport showing intermodal connectivity.
The SATS Concept
SATS will give more time to more people, satisfying a large
portion of the emerging public demand for safe, higher-speed
mobility and increased accessibility, while unleashing the
full potential of the knowledge-based industrial expansion
to more suburban, rural and remote communities. The benefits
include improved standards of living and quality of life for
all in the new global economy. SATS technology innovations
will provide the nation with
(1) economic development for communities
of all sizes enabled by localized air accessibility,
(2) choices to bypass highway and hub-and-spoke
transportation systems delays,
(3) an efficient means for intermodal connectivity
between small airports and the global aviation system, and
(4) an exportable transportation revolution
with affordable "instant infrastructure" for developing
nations around the world.
The Small Aircraft Transportation System-
SATS represents a National Opportunity to create affordable
and safe transportation choices for the 21st Century..
- Provides a safe travel alternative from current ground
and air trransportation system delays
- Creates access to more communities in less time
- Improves mobility and quality of life for suburban, rural
and remote communities
Trips not taken....
Trips not imagined....
Trips not possible....
Imagine Same Day Travel Options
- Business
An Arlington E-commerce consultant calls on clients in Charlottsville,
Danville and Norfolk- and still makes it home for dinner.
- Medical Service
300 mile round-trip from Framville, VA to Johns
Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD for an outpatient
medical treatment.
- Same-day Package Delivery
A rural clinic in Roanoke receives same-day delivery of
much-needed prescription medications manufactured near Richmond.
What is SATS?
The small aircraft transportation system, SATS, is a partnership
among various organizations including NASA, the FAA, US aviation
industry, state and local aviation officials, and universities.
The system partners intend to relieve the nation's current
problems of highway gridlock and airport delays. At equivalent
highway system costs, SATS will reduce transportation times
to more communities by half in ten years and by two-thirds
in twenty-five years.
Why do we need SATS?
The nation needs a small aircraft transportation system to
relieve the safety and congestion problems on our highways
and in the air. The highway systems, especially in urban areas,
are frequently plagued with delays and accidents. The nation's
30 major airports are overwhelmed with increased air traffic,
leading to frequent delays and flight cancellations.
With over 5000 small airports already in place across the
country, in almost every locality, a small aircraft transportation
system that is both a safe and affordable alternative to current
transportation systems could provide an effective solution.
Who designs and implements SATS?
The SATS program originated with the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration's Advanced General Aviation Transport
Experiment program, AGATE. The NASA Langley Research Center
General Aviation Programs Office, on behalf of the NASA Aerospace
Enterprise in Washington, DC, leads the SATS initiative. SATS
has become a cooperative effort of NASA, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), university faculty, state and local
aviation officials, and the US aviation industry. The US Congress
has funded the SATS program with $9 million for fiscal year
2001 and has budgeted $69 million for a five-year proof of
concept period.
When will SATS become Operational?
The Proof of Concept research and technology development
phase lasts for five years, or until 2005. Pieces of the SATS
technology and several SATS aircraft already exist. Within
the five year period, SATS operational capability will be
demonstrated in four major areas:
- Higher volumes of air traffic will be accommodated at
non-radar, non-towered small airports.
- Lower landing minimums will be established at minimally
equipped small airports.
- Flight systems for improved safety and efficiency will
be established.
- Procedures for integration of SATS aircraft into existing
air traffic management systems and the National Airspace
System will be developed.
SATS will continue development through the next decade. During
that time, federal regulations, airspace procedures, and industry
products will be developed to accommodate SATS traffic. The
system full deployment phase at federal, state and local levels
occurs in 2015. SATS should be mature and fully operational
by 2020.
How will SATS be implemented and How can I get Involved?
Initially, SATS will be confined to a research and technology
development and evaluation phase called 'proof of concept'.
This phase is projected to last five years. During this time,
university and industry participants will develop and demonstrate
airborne technologies for precise and safe access to virtually
any small airport in near all-weather conditions.
Interested universities and industries can get involved by
responding to NASA and FAA requests for information and partnerships.
Students, teachers and informal educators can get involved
by following information links on the SATS web site for their
respective groups. The public can get involved by writing
to their congressional representatives and local government
officials to voice their support for the SATS objectives.
*Information is taken directly from the National SATS
Program website.
