The GL-10 (aka Greased Lightning) is a NASA prototype, which can fly like a plane, but take-off in hover mode -- similar to how a helicopter gets airborne.
The GL-10 (aka Greased Lightning) is a NASA prototype, which can fly like a plane, but take-off in hover mode -- similar to how a helicopter gets airborne.
NASA Langley/David C. Bowman
Engineers David North (L) and Bill Fredericks (R) from NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, carry the Greased Lightning ahead of a test flight.
Engineers David North (L) and Bill Fredericks (R) from NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, carry the Greased Lightning ahead of a test flight.
NASA Langley/David C. Bowman
The NASA prototype has successfully transitioned from hover to wing-borne flight during several experiments.
The NASA prototype has successfully transitioned from hover to wing-borne flight during several experiments.
NASA Langley/Gary Banziger
It uses similar technology to the U.S. military MV-22 Osprey, but in the GL-10 the whole wing rotates, rather than just the engine.
It uses similar technology to the U.S. military MV-22 Osprey, but in the GL-10 the whole wing rotates, rather than just the engine.
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images/FILE
NASA has a history of exploring drone technology. Pictured a NASA Global Hawk UAV in 2013, which was tasked with monitoring tropical storms and hurricanes.
NASA has a history of exploring drone technology. Pictured a NASA Global Hawk UAV in 2013, which was tasked with monitoring tropical storms and hurricanes.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F10%2Ftech%2Finnovation%2Fnasa-dissolving-drone%2F" target="_blank">NASA is also working with a group of researchers to create a bio-drone</a> that can self-destruct and leave no trace if it crashes. Real life applications include being able to fly into environmentally sensitive areas (like coral reefs), according to NASA.
NASA is also working with a group of researchers to create a bio-drone that can self-destruct and leave no trace if it crashes. Real life applications include being able to fly into environmentally sensitive areas (like coral reefs), according to NASA.
Courtesy Eli Block/Stanford Brown Spelman