One of NASA's most recent investments is the so-called Air Taxi, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) helicopter, intended to become a flying taxi.
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The company will test its new flying taxi through September 10, using another eVTOL craft from a company called Joby, which has been developing the technology with NASA for over 10 years.
The aircraft, which resembles a larger version of a 6-rotor drone, will conduct flight tests at Joby's electric flight base near Big Sur, California.
These are the first tests of this new type of aircraft. NASA has designed a rigorous test plan, including collecting data on vehicle motion, noise and communications in various flight modes.
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To collect some of the data, the researchers needed to develop a type of mobile acoustic center that could monitor the aircraft with 50 different microphones and collect data on the noise it would produce.
Some tech activists have already raised concerns that the FAA is looking for loopholes when dealing with a rapidly evolving industry, potentially hindering the growth of American companies as competitors in better regulatory regimes literally outpace them.
NASA's efforts will inform the FAA's decision-making processes as it tries to walk the fine line between sensible regulation and technological development.
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The next step in these efforts will be a set of tests known as NC-1. Scheduled for 2022, these tests will track more realistic flight patterns and scenarios than those that will take place in Big Sur in the coming weeks.
Ideally, the combined efforts of aerospace research and the regulatory arms of the US government will result in a vibrant industry that can change the lives of its citizens for the better.
With any luck, the outcome of this industry could make safe and affordable flying cars.
