# NASA Tests First Responder Drone Airspace Prioritization in Texas

NASA, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Texas public safety agencies, and industry vendors, conducted a flight exercise in North Texas to evaluate airspace prioritization tools for first responder drones amid growing commercial drone traffic. This initiative aims to ensure emergency response drones receive priority access in increasingly crowded skies, enhancing public safety and airspace management. The exercise involved collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Fort Worth Police Department, and Arlington Police Department, and leveraged technology from drone airspace management companies such as Drone Sense, Avision, and ANRA Technologies.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the growing emphasis on integrating first responder drone operations into national airspace, signaling potential future contract opportunities for airspace management solutions and emergency response technologies.
- Agencies and contractors involved in drone technology and air traffic management can leverage this initiative to align offerings with evolving public safety requirements and FAA regulations.
- This exercise highlights the importance of multi-agency collaboration and technology interoperability, which may influence future procurement specifications and partnership models.
- Vendors specializing in drone airspace management should consider engagement with federal and state agencies to support scalable prioritization systems for emergency services.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Emergency Response
**Published:** April 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Fort Worth Police Department
- Arlington Police Department

### Vendors
- Drone Sense (Drone airspace management company)
- Avision (Drone airspace management company)
- ANRA Technologies (Drone airspace management company)

### Sources
- [NASA Explores Prioritizing First Response Drones in Crowded Skies - NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/nasa-explores-prioritizing-first-response-drones-in-crowded-skies/) - NASA