By Scout Nelson
A team from South Dakota State University has won first place in the 2025 NASA Gateways to Blue Skies Competition. Their project, titled “Soil Testing and Plant Leaf Extraction Drone,” impressed judges with its potential to support the future of U.S. agriculture.
The competition asked college students to design aviation solutions that could improve agriculture by 2035. The South Dakota team developed a drone system that automates soil and tissue sampling—a task usually done by hand. Their idea offers a way to reduce labour while making farming more efficient and precise.
The team competed against seven other finalists at the Blue Skies Forum held May 20–21 in Palmdale, California, near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. A panel of NASA and industry experts judged the entries.
As part of their prize, team members earned the opportunity to intern at one of NASA’s aeronautics-focused research centres, including Langley, Glenn, Ames, or Armstrong. These internships will take place during the 2025–26 academic year.
Other awards at the competition went to the University of Tulsa, which earned second place with its “CattleLog” cattle management system, and Boston University, which received the Best Technical Paper award for its “PLAANT” nitrogen treatment drone concept.
The 2025 challenge, titled “AgAir: Aviation Solutions for Agriculture,” focused on using aviation technology to improve farming practices, boost efficiency, and build resilience against extreme weather.
Students who participated also had the chance to meet NASA researchers, tour the Armstrong Research Center, and learn more about NASA’s aviation mission.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
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