NASA Awards South Dakota State University Team for Innovative Aircraft Maintenance Solution
NASA has announced the winners of its fifth annual Gateways to Blue Skies Competition, with the team from South Dakota State University taking first place. The competition, held at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, challenged student teams to develop innovative systems for advancing commercial aircraft maintenance by 2035. The winning project, named WINGMAN, proposed the use of augmented reality safety glasses equipped with voice-controlled manuals and photo recognition to assist aircraft mechanics. This technology aims to provide hands-free access to necessary information and reporting tools during routine inspections and minor repairs. The competition is part of NASA’s University Innovation project, which seeks to foster innovative research and strengthen the future aviation workforce. 
