NASA Funds New Propulsion Monitoring Software for Aircraft
A $1.27 million contract supports the development of an onboard system designed to detect electric aircraft propulsion failures.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Space
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NASA has awarded AstraQua a $1.27 million Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract to advance its AstraSense software platform. This research-stage technology is designed to monitor electric aircraft propulsion systems for potential equipment failures.
Why it matters
As electric and hybrid-electric aviation emerges, onboard diagnostic tools are necessary to ensure safety for autonomous systems. This development accelerates the integration of health-monitoring software into propulsion architectures by enabling real-time equipment evaluation.
AstraSense processes sensor data directly on the aircraft to detect developing faults, moving beyond traditional centralized telemetry. The platform is currently being validated using hardware testbeds to evaluate its efficacy in identifying propulsion anomalies.
The players
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for aeronautics and space research that manages advanced technology funding programs.
AstraQua Inc.
A developer of specialized software platforms for monitoring electric aircraft propulsion and autonomous system health.
The details
The AstraSense platform functions by evaluating operating conditions in real-time to identify precursors to mechanical or electrical failure. By processing sensor information onboard the aircraft or autonomous platform, the software allows for automated decision-making regarding equipment health. This shift to decentralized processing is intended to improve safety in hybrid and all-electric propulsion systems by mitigating reliance on ground-based monitoring.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: AstraQua announced the contract award.
The Tech Race
This project fits within the broader effort by federal agencies to secure the software stack for future electric and autonomous aviation. It marks a progression from the initial Phase I proof-of-concept toward an integrated diagnostic tool for propulsion systems.
This software is in the research stage and does not currently affect commercial flights or aircraft operations. Its success will eventually determine the safety monitoring protocols implemented in future electric propulsion systems.
The takeaway
AstraSense represents a push toward autonomous, onboard health diagnostics for electric aviation. Readers can monitor future progress by tracking the project’s performance outcomes as AstraQua moves through its hardware testbed phase.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in aerospace technology in the Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Military & Aerospace Electronics.
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Should the federal government increase funding for electric aircraft propulsion technology research?
