Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles

NexSTAR UAS

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This site details a test platform designed by Cory Dixon, Jack Elston, and Maciej Stachura for flight tests involving networked UA. We currently have four operational NexSTARs. To view results and videos from different flights, please view our flight testing folder.

All of our operations occur at the Table Mountain National Radio Quiet Zone north of Boulder, CO. All of the flights are authorized by the FAA under Certificate of Authorization 2008-WSA-1.

NexSTAR Fleet Statistics as of Mar 19 2009
UA # of
Flights 		Total Flight
Time (hrs)
NexSTAR-0 21 1.67
NexSTAR-1 36 6.69
NexSTAR-2 26 8.44
NexSTAR-3 23 5.54
NexSTAR-4D 0 0.00
Totals 106 22.33

Platform Features

  • Integrates into and Advances the AUGNet research in RECUV
    • Use our existing piccolo autopilots
    • Participates in the AUGNet network
    • Use Atheros chipsets
    • Implements AODV and DSR
    • Includes COTS 1W amplifiers

  • Significantly reduce overhead for UA operations
    • Cost of vehicle to less than $1000 (not including autopilot)
    • Small turn around time for vehicle repairs
    • Little set up required at the field
    • Electric propulsion
    • Reduced take-off and landing speeds (from previous platform, the Ares)
    • Small, stable aircraft
    • Up to 45 minutes of flight time.

  • Used to investigate