# NASA Advances ORION Airspace Coordination System

NASA has awarded ResilienX, Inc. a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract in 2026 to develop and demonstrate the ORION airspace coordination system. This 18-month program focuses on enhancing autonomous and semi-autonomous drone operations for wildfire and disaster response by integrating multiple partner platforms into a scalable, hardware-agnostic system. Operational demonstrations are planned in New York's Adirondack region, supporting NASA's priorities for emergency response and airspace safety. The program aims to mature the technology to Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7), improving multi-agency coordination and situational awareness during emergency operations.

- **Why this matters:** This contract represents a significant opportunity for contractors specializing in drone coordination, autonomous systems, and emergency response technologies to engage with NASA and its partners.
- The integration of multiple technology partners including Vigilare AI, Hoplynk, Pierce Aerospace, and OneSky highlights a collaborative ecosystem for advancing airspace management solutions.
- Procurement professionals should note the focus on scalable, hardware-agnostic platforms, indicating a preference for interoperable and flexible technologies.
- Organizations involved in emergency management and airspace safety can leverage insights from this program to align future proposals with NASA and FEMA priorities, especially in regions like New York and potentially Colorado and California.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Emergency Response, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- NUAIR Alliance (NUAIR)

### Vendors
- ResilienX, Inc. (prime contractor)
- Vigilare AI (technology partner)
- Hoplynk (technology partner)
- Pierce Aerospace (technology partner)
- OneSky (technology partner)

### Sources
- [ResilienX Selected for NASA SBIR Phase II to Advance ORION Airspace Coordination System for Wildfire and Disaster Response: https://t.co/o6uCv6I3W5 https://t.co/xkQhTX26Aa](https://x.com/droneslanding/status/2100206149324697638) - twitter-defense
- [ResilienX Selected for NASA SBIR Phase II to Advance ORION Airspace Coordination System for Wildfire and Disaster Response | Cedar News](https://cedarnews.net/newstasks/988648/wildfire-resilienx-selected-nasa-sbir-phase-ii) - cedarnews.net
- [ResilienX Selected for NASA SBIR Phase II to Advance ORION Airspace Coordination System for Wildfire and Disaster Response – sUAS News](https://www.suasnews.com/2026/09/resilienx-selected-for-nasa-sbir-phase-ii-to-advance-orion-airspace-coordination-system-for-wildfire-and-disaster-response) - sUAS News