NASA is looking to implement a new drone detection system at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, aiming for deployment by April 2026. This initiative includes a call for proposals for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) detection and analysis services. The system is designed to enhance the safety of NASA personnel, the public, and various high-value assets.
The detection system will utilize both fixed and mobile sensors to identify unknown drones within a range of at least 46 miles (approximately 64 kilometers). It will offer real-time detection capabilities and threat analyses. Recently, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned new foreign-made drones due to national security issues, which coincides with NASA’s proposal.
As KSC serves as NASA’s main launch site, particularly for the Artemis missions, stringent measures are already in place regarding UAS flights, which require approval from KSC Flight Operations. The proposal does not indicate whether there have been recent drone threats or if this is purely a precautionary measure. Furthermore, the existing drone detection systems at the neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station remain unspecified.
In a related note, KSC’s Visitor Center is currently hosting a holiday drone show that features 600 autonomous aircraft.